Anne, in my case they never did find the primary. Although this disconcerted me when I was first made aware of it, both my RO and MO told me that not only was this not uncommon in head and neck SCC (I seem to recall a figure of some 30%, perhaps even more), but that - and this seemed paradoxical - I could expect to do better for it. I'm sure the more learned types here can enlighten you further about this apparent contradiction. In any event it seems clear (and forgive me if I'm repeating something said in earlier posts) that HPV-caused SCCs respond better to radiation therapy than those caused by the more historically conventional smoking (especially) and drinking etiology.

Courage to you both (and painkillers to him!)
D2