OK, I know that I should not get hung up with the numbers, everyone's situation is different, the future isn't determined yet, etc. but everytime I look at my wife, I can't help thinking of the odds. I see the numbers on this site stating 5 year survival for all oral cancer at 50%. Not only is there the cancer to deal with but she will be starting chemo/radiation in the next couple of weeks. Currently, she weighs about 93 pounds at 5'2" tall, from everything I have heard, there is typically weight loss during treatment. She doesn't have any weight to lose. At a Stage IV with lymph nodes on both sides of the neck positive, I don't think there are many options. The only thing her surgeon has said is that she has an excellent chance at being "cured". I have not wanted to discuss this in front of her as she has not brought it up. Am I worrying needlessly or statistically, is this a 50% prognosis?


Tom-CG to wife, Pam 46@dx
Stage IV Tongue Cancer T2N2C
Dx 6/08, Surgery 7/08, 3 nodes positive
9/08 33IMRT/7Carbo/Taxol
4/09 node biopsy positive, mets to lungs/stomach
5/09 Cisplatin or Cis/Alimta study
6/09 Cis/Taxotere
9/09 Taxotere
1/10 Xeloda
3/10 Cetuximab weekly
6/29/10 lost battle