Hi
I know I should put my faith in my oncologist and I do but would like some advice on the following.
When I first met my oncologist following my neck disesction due to tonsil cancer, I was advised that as the cancer was local I would need radiotherapy to one side of my neck amd this would be supplemented by chemotherapy.
Now my oncologist has seen the histology report he says chemotherapy is not really necessary, and would just increase the side effects of my treatment. I explained that I understood that it would also increase the success rate and he agreed but said only slightly. He said that if I want to have the chemo he is happy for me to have it. My question is should I put myself through it? It seems most people on this forum have had both and most agree the chemo is not easy so I am looking for any thoughts?

hi gd
everyone reacts differently to chemo,some sail through it and others like me find it very hard going and the my oncologist decided to stop mine after 3 lots instead of the 4 i was supposed to have and i have to admit i was glad to have an end to the chemo.there are a lot of people who carry on working through their treatment and just carry on with life as near normal as they can.when i started mine my immune system had been compromised by major surgery i had had a few months before i was diagnosed so that's why they think chemo made me so ill.i guess gd you will have to weigh up the pros and cons of chemo for you.whatever you decide i wish you all the best.love shirl xxx

Thanks for your reply Shirl, I am half thinking maybe I will give the Chemo a go and see how I get on. I think I know what to expect from the radiotherapy but not really sure about the Chemo as well. I understand Chemo increases the success rate by a few percent but how exactly does it do this? and is all the increase in side effects worth it? I am also told there may not be a bed for me on the chemo days and I need to phone in the morning to find out, if there isnt this could delay the start of my rads? I really dont know whats best.

update : just back from hospital, Is it not always better face to face?? I met again with my oncologist (amongst many others) and he explained things so much better to me and I am going ahead with the chemo and will start Monday morning. I am now aware of side effects and have reached the conclusion that we are all different and I do not know how I will feel or react until I have experienced it for myself. I do feel supported in the fact that i will have experienced members of staff there to "hold my hand" along the way. I plan to have a nice weekend and just get on with next week when Monday comes!!

Hi there,
Just wanted to say I'm thinking of you and hope you are getting on ok with the chemo. Try and take one day at a time and sounds like you have great support from the staff at the hospital which I think is really important.
Best Wishes,
David.