Hi, Thanks for writing in. Cancer is a challenging condition and difficult to treat in some patients. The treatment response depends on the stage of cancer and grade of cells in the cancer area. Throat cancer has slightly better prospects and extended survival in early stages. It is important to know what stage the patient is having. Radiation therapy is given to shrink the cancer tissue. After the cancer is reduced then chemotherapy is given. In stage 4 cancer the survival is up to 2 years in many patients but might be less if there is airway infiltration and spread to adjacent structures. The patient usually dies because they cannot eat and the airway is also involved. With chemotherapy attempts can be made to reduce the cancer and this also require attention to the general health of the patient to avoid nutritional deficiencies. Please do not worry.