Mark,

Very similar diagnosis here, and treatment very close, except they did my Neck Dissection first. Neck dissection was the easiest part of the whole process, really. I wanted them to throw the kitchen sink at this disease, and so far it has been successful. Would lesser treatment have provided the same result? Maybe. Am I willing to take that chance with my life? No.

I will present a counterpoint on the HPV issue. Today, there is no difference in the treatment afforded to HPV and non-HPV SCC. There likely will be in the future, but there isn't now. So, for me at least, whether it was HPV, my prior smoking or something else is irrelevant. Sure, if it turns out to be HPV+, the results are generally better, so that is reassuring. However, if it is not HPV+, that does not mean that a bad result is inevitable. Why add that stress if it makes no difference to your treatment?

I personally did not have a PEG, and made it through fine. Unfortunately, I have gained back every pound I lost during treatment. That is a very individual decision, however.

Best of luck, and keep posting.