Dear NY10,

Here are some things you might be interested in knowing. There are very few people here that have had surgery only. I am one of them. So far, so good.

As you can see from my signature, I have had only one occurence. You will find that there are some people that have had radiation more than once.

Your statistic of 85 - 95% of OC patients are or were smokers is a little high. The number that I use is 75% and this number is decreasing due to the fact that less people are smoking. The number of cases in total is increasing because of the HPV connection.

I hope your mother is doing well.

Jerry (a former New Yorker)

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"