If people could actually know why they got cancer, or why they got a recurrene, or why they were unlucky enough to get esophgeal strictures, I think it would be useful knowledge--but, again, in any individual CASE, the best a doctor can do is talk about factors that MAY have caused it. With drinking and smoking and HPV there is some good evidence about the causal relationship existing across patients but for any one patient it is still at best a probability.

Believe me, I have a LOT of curiousity about the causes of oral cancer, recurrences, and swallowing problems. And what I do to satisfay that curiousity is read about research. Not imply to people coming her for support that they should be able to explain why this happened to them.

But I'm repeating myself and I have a rule about dialogue on the internet when I feel like I'm just not being heard. The rule is--repeat yourself three times and then let it go. And I think I'm there.

Nelie