I have to agree with Ed. As far as slow healing, if he had radiation then it can take a long time for healing - it took me many months. This can be slowed even more by thrush and other things. PET scans are notorious for flagging activity in scar tissue. It is the biggest reason for a false positive. If for no other reason I would get a referal just for your peace of mind, especially since they are recommending further surgery.

Methadone is on the list of recommended pain management drugs in the NCCN pain management guidelines. Although not that commonly used - most of us here have had either Fentanyl (AKA Duragesic) 72 hr pain relief patches or Oxycontin for the heavy stuff (long term) with Vicodin or morphine for breakthrough (short term). http://www.nccn.org/patients/patient_gls/_english/_pain/3_treatment.asp#CommonlyUsedOpioids

Gary Allsebrook
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Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
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"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)