The chemo docs I have talked all have said "Carboplatin is just as effective as Cisplatin but without the nasty side effects." So that obviously led to my next question...then why do you continue to use Cisplatin? The response I get is that Carbo has never been tested to the extent of Cis. Hey remember I'm not a doc so this is a question you need to ask your chemo doc.

Knowing what I have learned from my experience and this site I don't think starting off with Carbo would bother me with an HPV+ connection. My only reservation is that his cancer is most likely linked to tobacco and those prove more aggressive than say the HPV+ type.

With the chemo we basically see 2 different delivery choices, 3 big bags or 6 smaller weekly bags. I don't know the statistics involving HPV+ vs HPV- but mostly all here with the 3 big bag method start with Cis and some are only able to get 2 out of the 3. Some are then switched to Carbo for the 3rd and some don't get a 3rd of anything. For those that have gotten the weekly doses I don't recall any starting off with Carbo and I don't recall any not completing the 6 week treatment nor even switching to Carbo at some point and I also don't recall any complaining of the hearing issue in the weekly program.

So to sum up my wandering thoughts... I would question why with the weekly program he wouldn't start off with Cis and if he experiences any ringing then switch him to Carbo for the remaining. Again I would only push for this because of his likely tobacco connection.

Maybe Brian will add his wisdom.