 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 | Hi Debbie,
I am so sorry that you have to go through this again. There are many good posts in the archives about radiation and the many side effects. It is not a fun project in fact most here would say it sucks EXCEPT that it has a good reputation for killing off cancer cells.
SCC has a bad reputation for microscopic spreading beyond the area of the tumor. These microscopic cells are like seeds, they sprout up somewhere new. That is why surgery alone is an option that might be considered incomplete treatment. Radiation is really good at taking care of these microscopic (and even larger) tumors. Be sure that your medical caregivers are the best you can find.
This time you want to be thorough and beat up the cancer once and for all.
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.
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