I have a very similar situation as yours except 1/23 lymph nodes had cancer (surgery for the tonsil and neck disection on 1 Oct). My ENT and radiation oncologist told me I was in the "gray zone" for radiation. What did you decide about radiation?
I'm having a hard time deciding something that was called "50/50".

v/r
Ken

Welcome to OCF, Ken!

Im sorry I didnt get this to you sooner! Ive moved your post from its original location to ensure if the other member you asked questions to returns to our site he or she has his/her own questions and replies on their own thread and you also have your own concerns and replies. The member you wrote to has not been here for over a month after creating their 2 posts. Its likely they will not return even though they are always welcome here. My experience with newer members who make one or two posts and do not return for weeks could be they have the answer to their question or maybe they're rethinking their posts??? Its not unusual to find a sort of "buyers remorse" as a newer member is rethinking about sharing so much of their own personal story. We have some members who after hours of "Dr Googling" during a time of desperation searching for correct and relevant info, find and join our online family. Someone who has recently been diagnosed and they're completely unfamiliar with oral cancer (OC) and everything that goes along with it feels overwhelmed. Some have mentioned feeling upset and also relieved after they posted their inner most thoughts and fears in a time of great weakness. To other OC patients/survivors and caregivers that have been thru it ourselves we understand how stressful and frightening an OC diagnosis can be. OCF's members are always anonymous with only knowing as much about an individual as they decide to share with us. I assure you our site is anonymous where every one of our members identities are kept private and their info is always kept safe. Just in case you wanted to read thru the other members post who you had asked a question, heres a link to it...

New, Australian members post


Its not always easy to make medical decisions that could have life impacting consequences. A 50/50 chance is the same as saying maybe you need this or maybe you dont its a wait and see type of thing. Being that no one here is a medical professional without years of formal medical education, hands on clinical experience or a medical professionals background we probably arent able to comment or second guess what you have already been told by your doctor. Almost every one of us here have been involved in making similar difficult choices. When we arent sure which way to go, a second or third opinion from other specialists at other major treatment facilities would be helpful. Im sorry I do not know much about how medical/health systems operate in countries other than the US. OCF has had a great many members from Australia over the years. At this time, I cant think of any one or two specific members from Australia who are currently actively posting. But we do have a great many from all over the world besides the US (where OCF originates) with similar diagnosis.

When comparing your situation to someone else theres so many variables and other things to consider like medications, tests, side effects, etc. Even if you have 2 or more patients who on paper appear to be almost identical they still would not be a good comparison. Its not possible to have someone with their tumor the exact same, size, type, location, be the same age, height, weight, sex, marital status, taking the same medications even vitamins, exercises, or to be from the same neighborhood their entire lives being exposed to the exact same things including working at the same career, have the same vaccinations, education of the same subjects at the same locations and every other minor similarity. Every person is still their own unique person who may or may not seem to be similar with another member. OC is a rare disease as is exact tumor location.

Wishing you all the very best with everything!!!