My doctors, without knowing I would later test positive for HPV, told me that they recommended only concurrent chemo/radiation and that the rad should kill the cancer and therefore taking the nodes out was most likely unnecessary. They did say that IF there were signs of cancer remaining in the nodes post rad that they would then recommend removing them. That never had to happen.

Now studies have confirmed that HPV+ SCC responds better to radiation and I am sure that played a role in my kill rate. We may see a time when Tx protocols are officially adjusted for HPV+ patients and we are probably seeing some docs already being influenced in their treatment recommendations but that is not easy to follow. It is clear that with HPV- patients, which you most likely are, the standard aggressive treatment protocols still apply.