This is definitely a question worth discussing with both your oncologist and the dental team before treatment starts. From what many head and neck cancer patients are told, the concern is usually balancing the risk of delaying radiation against the risk of needing extractions after radiation, when healing can be more complicated.   If the decayed teeth are considered stable enough to last through treatment, that may be why the team is comfortable postponing extraction. On the other hand, if there is active infection or a high chance of problems during radiotherapy, some specialists prefer addressing those teeth beforehand. Every case is a bit different, which is why getting a second dental opinion can sometimes provide peace of mind.   Wishing you all the best with the upcoming chemo and radiotherapy. It can feel overwhelming at the start, but having a clear plan for your dental health before and after treatment is one of the most important steps you can take. ... View more