Jen, the doctors you deal with at a major cancer center generally know what they are doing. And they will recommend the best treatment for your situation. So when I was going through what you are now experiencing, I listened to what they told me and did what they suggested. I figured I was paying them too much to ignore what they said. Why pay that much money and not listen to what you are being told to do.

I had stage IV cancer in the right tonsil which had metastasized to the lymph node. I had IMRT rad and 3 treatments of cisplatin chemo every 21 days to shrink the tumor, then radical neck dissection to remove it. The result was that all of the cancer was destroyed by the rad/chemo. The pathologists tried to find any cancer cells in the 35 lymph nodes removed during surgery and all of the other tissue taken to insure good margins and no cancer was found. The rad and chemo had killed it all.

Other rad/chemo regimens have had the same results for others on this board. Bottom line is they did what the cancer specialists recommended and had good results. Hope this helps. I know that it seems like an unending number of decisions, but soon enough, it will start and you will get through it just like we all have. Will be praying for guidance and successful treatment for you and comfort for your family as you progress through this treatment.