Jon,
I'm not going to be able to help you, but am sure others will be able to shed some light for you.

I do know that you may want to see if you were tested for HPV when you were biopsied (if you were). I have heard of some speculation about certain chemical and fungi exposures, but don't have specifics. I do know I keep hearing "there's a new face on head and neck cancers". No longer the bane of old men who were lifelong smokers and heavy drinkers; it's striking both sexes and "healthy" non-smokers.

I would love to know why/how this happens to us. If we could pinpoint "blame", we could maybe avoid reoccurance, and others could avoid being in our shoes.

Good luck, good health, Jon

- Pam

44 at 10-26-2009 Dx; SCC, T2N2b, St.IV BOT; Rt. Tonsil out; PET 11-12-09 (3 spots); 3 rds Cisplatin, Taxotere and 5-FU started 11-19-09; PEG 12-24-09; 7 wks chemo-rads done 03-16-10. 06-28 CT/PET watching 1 node; PEG out; 11-15 CT - larger; 11-23 PET activity up; mrdc 12-21; 04-01-11 CLEAN SCANS! ; March 2018 new SCC - Meet with surgeon 4-4-18