Barb and Gail, Just before my last week of radiation the machine broke down and I had one week off while repairs were made. My radiation Oncologist said that there would be no difference in the outcome by stoping for a week that late in the treatment. However he did say that if it were in the first weeks I would have had to travel to another facility because stopping early in the treatment cycle would be a problem.

I too am not in a position to back up his comments with expert data, but I do know that a serious malpractice claim would result if indeed I was shortchanged some 7% of potential success by their machine breakdown for a week. I know that stopping was a problem for me because I just started to feel better when I had to go back for those last treatments and feel bad all over again. mad

Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.