Hi MarvB,

HPV related head and neck cancer is more specific for the oropharynx, which is different from oral or oral tongue cancer, so much is that they don’t normally do HPV testing in other areas for head and neck cancer, and only for oropharynx cancer. If other areas, small chance, it is HPV related, there is no postive benefit in other areas as seen with HPV oropharyngeal cancer. On a small scale, some oropharyngeal cancers may be a metastesss to the oral tongue, maybe another rarity.

It’s true HPV related (oropharyngeal) cancer treatment is the same HPV related or not, but in “clinical trials” there can be a difference in treatments.

I’m not sure of your cancer, but I was thinking it was oral tongue? Maybe you can clarify this with your doctors, if you want.

It’s true, you have difficult decisions to make, and hopefully you come to a sound decision.

I hope this helps.

10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil
11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp
01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks
06/11 30 HBO
08/11 RND PNI
06/12 SND PNI LVI
08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy
10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux
10/13 SND
10/13 TBO/Angiograph
10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI
12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo
11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO
03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN
09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy
04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site
06/17 Heart Attack Stent
02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs