tom,
i am not an expert but will just pass along my experiences.
i had 30 imrt treatments to a oropharyngeal primary and a fleshy lymphnode that popped up.i had my tonsils out first though as doctors thought this would be my primary. petscan smelled out the oropharynx.
side effects for my part were somewhat minimal. thick mucus hard swallowing and lack of taste during treatments. mucus went away first then taste started to come back as swallowing got better. salty came back quicker and sweets still have a bitter taste that hasn't gone away.
after radiation we agreed i needed a neck dissection. all lymphnodes on left side are gone and all were clear. trees twist easier than my neck did for two weeks. physical therapy is hepling as it has been 34 days since surgery. shaving is a real bear. i don't even try a straight razor right now. and if i don't feel like it,i'll skip a day or two. the electric razor i have is good. if you use a straight razor get your wife or someone else to shave you. good luck with everything and my family will add you to our prayer list. mo