H,

The question of radiation is one that continually comes up here on the forum. There are no set protocols for treatment of oral cancer and there are several of us here that have had only partial glossectomies and modified neck dissections. It really depends upon the doctor doing the surgery. My pre-surgery MRI showed no node involvement, but my surgeon's protocol was to remove the nodes anyway, as his experience showed that MRI's can give false negatives in 15% of the cases. In my case, since there were no nodes involved (30 removed), it was decided that radiation was not indicated. This was a joint decision by the surgeon and the radiation oncologist. If there had been any signs of cancer in even a single node, I know that radiation would have been done.

At this point in time, I am comfortable with that decision and as each cancer free day goes by, I am more accepting of it. If a recurrence or a new cancer appears, I still have the option of using radiation then.

There are many members of the forum that will argue that radiation should always be used. You and your mother have to be comfortable with the advice and treatment plan that you have been given. If the node is positive, then it certainly is the correct option.

Jerry

Jerry

Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.

"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"