MarvB,

You’ll find you can get three different opinions from three different doctors!

Most follow the NCCN suggested guidelines for head and neck cancer, if you want to look there for work-up exams, and treatments.

Here are the 2016 NCCN Guidelines. I believe there is 2017 Guidelines, but I can’t print it out. You can join the site, and get the current guidelines if you want.

https://oralcancerfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/head-and-neck.pdf

As far a HPV related head and neck cancer, it’s the only positive prognostic measure benefit seen if its HPV related oropharyngeal cancer. If they want, and think it’s HPV related, they can test the biopsy samples for HPV. I believe they keep the biopsy samples for a number of years, so they still can test it. That’s what testing they do for oropharyngeal cancer as part of the initial work-up.

It does make a difference if the cancer is HPV related, prognasticaly, found in the oropharynx, and not seen elsewhere in a number of reports, but I read ONE report a few years ago of a postive benefit for HPV head and neck cancer found elsewhere.

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