Brian & MSG,

All I have to say is WOW and thank you for explaining "Cancer".

So, in really simple language, cancer acts like a parasite creating it's own little atmosphere where it can prosper until it kills it's host. I never understood cancer and how we're basically in trouble the minute our body decides to accept the cancer and feed it with new blood vessels.

If blood flow to cancer cells was blocked would the cancer die? Is that what chemo and radiation does?

I apologize for starting a thread breaking away from OC...But, this is really helping me understand my cancer for the first time since I was dx'ed.

I got my answer reading another post in another thread...thank you though.

Last edited by Ray1971; 12-31-2008 06:28 AM.
7-16-08 age 37@Dx, T3N0M0 SCC 4.778cm tumor, left side of oral tongue, non smoker, casual drinker, I am the 4th in my family to have H&N cancer
8-13-08 left neck dissection and 40% of tongue removed, submandibular salivary gland & 14 nodes clean, no chemo, IMRTx35
11-4-08 Recovering & feeling better