Hi Susan. I've been off the boards here for the past few days because of the 40" of snow we have had since last Saturday. My husband John had a CT Scan with IV contrast of his entire neck and chest when he was diagnosed. His ENT put a needle in the "lump" in his neck and withdrew fluid which was a malignant lymph node. John's tumor was pretty big and was "right to midline" tongue base. Before John started treatments he had a PET which was clear except for the lymph node and base of tongue. Our MO also told us that this type of cancer "CAN" go to the lungs. Whenever John has follow up scans they also scan his lungs. Keep posting your questions and take lots of notes at the doctor visits. It can be very overwhelming. Hang in there. Wanda

Wanda (47) caregiver to husband John (56) age at diag.(2009)
1-13-09 diagnosed Stage IV BOT SCC (HPV+)
2-12-09 PEG placed, 7-6-09 removed
Cisplatin 7 weeks, 7 weeks (35) IMRT
4-15-09 - treatment completed
8-09,12-09-CT Scans clear, 4-10,6-11-PET Scans clear
4-2013 - HBO (30 dives) tooth extraction
10-2019 - tooth extraction, HBO (10 dives)
11-2019 - Left lateral tongue SCC - Stage 2