Okay, so now I understand why the J's RO didn't want me asking questions about the pathology report!!!

I did enough research on-line to find that HPV will show up in Branchial Cleft Cysts which makes it much harder to diagnose a SCC HN from a BCC (which, by virtue of its name, IS a neck issue.) It is either a benign congenital cyst or it is oral cancer. Could there be a worse differential diagnosis?

I was thinking, in error, that p16 positivity and HPV+ status were interchangeable. It is very confusing. There is HPV+, there is also having an active HPV virus, and there is p16 positivity. I know the test for the presence of HPV is indicated by a p16 cell stain. So...since I am now on the good ship Confusion...and have made sure everyone is invited along for the cruise...I'll stop trying to figure it out now! I need a Motrin.... :S

Last edited by Sandy177; 04-30-2011 10:53 PM. Reason: brain fart
Ex-spouse MISDIAGNOSED with SCC-HN IVa 12/10. Tonsils out 1/11. 4 teeth out 2/11. TX Erbitux x2, IMRT x2 2/11. 2nd opinion-benign BCC-NOT CANCER 3/11. TX stopped 3/11. New doctors 4/11. ENT agrees with 2nd opinion 5/11. ENT scoped him-all clear 7/11. Ordered MRI anyway. MRI 8/22/11 Result-all clear.