Okay, my parents met with the oncologist to discuss cisplatin hearing loss issues and I asked them to ask about Carboplatin (I was subtley not invited to the meeting..they say they want me around when it treatment begins)
The outcome is that the hemo-onc now wants them to use cetuximab (Erbitux)and I was told they have not used carboplatin on this kind of cancer in this hospital.
I am confused as from what I have read cisplatin and carboplatin are related toxins that actually damage cells, whereas cetuximab is an antibody that stops growth, right?
I am not a doctor,(my mantra) I just don't understand why he would reccommend such a different kind/family of agent.
I have read very closely in this forum and seems that everyone here had Erbitux after surgery/chem/IMRT or on a recurrence but not 1st time with IMRT.
Dad is Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Tonsil spread to toungue and 2 lymph nodes T2N2M0 Stage 4a
Oral surgeon gave him the go ahead and he starts on Friday.

Caregiver to father,Frank -Tonsil SCC spread to base of tongue 2 lymph, T2N2M0 stage 4a, IMRT 35x, Erbitux 8x-stopped after 5 due to thrush infection and strp infection in PEG,diag Aug 07 tx concluded Nov 8 07 PEG issues Inpatient Oct 8th-Nov 8th.