Gail (and Tom) ,

I believe Tom is like me. His cancer was not base of tongue, it was on the oral tongue, and he had surgery of the tumor, with clean margins, BEFORE radiation and he has no cancer in his nodes. What this means is that *there IS NO TARGET* in the same sense that there is for stage III or IV BOT cancer that has not been operated on. So the fact the IMRT and Tomo can deliver more radition to a target is not of such clear significance here as you seem to think.

Although I had IMRT (it was the only game in town basically), I can easily see why general field radiation, such as Tom is being given, might be thought to be more effective under the circumstances. Especially since my impression is there's still not a lot known about the pathways by which cancer might spread along nerves--which is the issue of particular concern if, like Tom and me, the tumor showed signs of perineural invasion.

I agree with Brian that this sort of difference is why it's important not to speak in absolutes here and get someone worried about what sort of treatment they are receiving midstream.

I hope I'm not adding to the fray here too much by posting this.

Nelie