Hi Katie,

My husband was dx'd with BOT SSC Stage 4. It had also apparently been there a long time. His only symptom was a painless lymph node. His actual source tumor was very small and did not cause any discomfort.

Learning all of this news was very scary. I remember exactly how that felt when we found out in May. So, I imagine all that you are hearing now is slightly overwhelming.

Our ENT wanted to do a neck dissection and tongue resectioning within 2 days of diagnosis.

Our GP wanted us to get a second opinion and sent us to a hospital with a Cancer Center and a Tumor Board. The Tumor Board's recommendation for my husband was chemo/radiation. The tumor and lymph nodes responded well and surgery has been deemed unnecessary.

Although, each person is unique...that is what occurred for us.

Who gave you your options, was it an ENT or a Cancer Canter? Have you met with an MO (chemo doc) and an RO (radiation doc) and a surgeon?

I'm glad you are doing well...attitude is half the battle.