I was diagnosed with pharyngeal cancer 2 days ago. I believe it is in the hypopharynx. I had this same disease in 1984 and was treated with radiation and it melted the tumor and it went away. I now am again faced with the same thing though in a different spot. I cannot have radiation treatment again. My body won't be able to take it. I have difficulty swallowing. I am facing surgery of that I am certain. I live alone and need moral support. I am an 80 year old woman from the Netherlands. It is in stage 2. I am lonely and frightened. The wheels are in motion for the treatment but I have not as yet consulted with my potential surgeon who will be Dr. David W. Eisele at UCSF (San Francisco). My main worry is will I be able to regain the ability to swallow again after the surgery? I was told it will mean a resection. Thank you for any information you can furnish me. Elizabeth