Geri,

I think the different treatment protocols are really based on the finer points of the pathology and while many of us have SCC on the mobile tongue, or the base of the tongue, the extent of the lymph node involvement is really what informs the docs as far as chemotherapy and radiation. For example, on initial exam, I appeared to have only one involved lymph node - making me a Stage III patient. But during my neck dissection, two additional nodes tested positive, pushing me into Stage IV and Erbitux was added to my treatment plan along with the maximum amount of radiation they could give me.

- Margaret


Stage IV SCC lt lateral tongue, surgery 5/19/08 (partial gloss/upper neck dissection left side/radial free flap reconstruction) IMRT w/weekly Cisplatin & Erbitux 6/30/08, PEG 1 6/12/08 - out 7/14 (in abdominal wall, not stomach), PEG 2 7/23/08 - out 11/20/08, Tx done 8/18/08
Second SCC tumor, Stage 1, rt mobile tongue, removed 10/18/2016, right neck dissection 12/9/2016
Third SCC tumor, diagnosed, 4/19/2108, rt submandibular mass, HPV-, IMRT w/ weekly Cisplatin, 5/9 - 6/25/2018, PEG 3 5/31/2018