Dmbart,
First, I am sorry you have need to join us here.
Second, ignore statistics. They apply to a large cohort of patients. Not You.
I learnt this early on in our treatment path. Of course, too, much has changed with the advent of HPV positive tumours. These tumours respond better to radiation and chemo, but are lumped into the general statistics with those with HPV negative tumours. We don't all fit into the same pathway.
My husband was HPV positive. He did have a recurrence post rads and chemo.
He then underwent "salvage" surgery. He is alive and well more than 4 years later. So, please don't make your decision based on statistics. Get another opinion from a CCC and a tumour Board.
I wish you well,
Tammy

Caregiver/advocate to Husband Kris age 59@ diagnosis
DX Dec '10 SCC BOT T4aN2bM0 HPV+ve.Cisplatin x3 35 IMRT.
PET 6/11 clear.
R) level 2-4 neck dissection 8/1/11 to remove residual node - necrotic with NED
Feb '12 Ca back.. 3/8/12 total glossectomy/laryngectomy/bilat neck dissection/partial pharyngectomy etc. clear margins. All nodes negative for disease. PEG in.
March 2017 - 5 years disease free. Woohoo!