Tough situation to be in the way you care for him but it would be best for him to post here. Without knowing more I would encourage him to get tested for the HPV virus in his cancer cells. HPV and Tobacco account for the overwhelming majority of all Oral Cancer causes yet they have been proven to be very different animals despite an infant HPV knowledge base which is growing every day thanks to the scientific community.

David

Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.