I was diagnosed in 2008, non-HPV and no recurrence. I am considered cured. Yes, there are some pesky side-effects; have recently started experience muscle cramping in my neck, have reduced saliva and ongoing non-cancerous sores on what's left of my tongue, but these are really minor concerns.

The first few years, when you're really waiting for bad news are tough. Really tough. But yes, some of us do survive.

Stage IV SCC lt lateral tongue, surgery 5/19/08 (partial gloss/upper neck dissection left side/radial free flap reconstruction) IMRT w/weekly Cisplatin & Erbitux 6/30/08, PEG 1 6/12/08 - out 7/14 (in abdominal wall, not stomach), PEG 2 7/23/08 - out 11/20/08, Tx done 8/18/08
Second SCC tumor, Stage 1, rt mobile tongue, removed 10/18/2016, right neck dissection 12/9/2016
Third SCC tumor, diagnosed, 4/19/2108, rt submandibular mass, HPV-, IMRT w/ weekly Cisplatin, 5/9 - 6/25/2018, PEG 3 5/31/2018