with regard to finding out whether you have HPV - yes and no ...

From a long term perspective? Yes. Right now the difference in treatment between HPV+ve and HPV-ve tumours is zero. However, down the track this may change when we understand the differences better. Then this information may be important for others (or even yourself) in years to come.

For your situation right now? No. You are through treatment, you don't want to worry about it anymore. Whether or not you are HPV +ve makes no difference to whatever tests and rehabilitation is before you.

It is thought that HPV+ve tumours respond better to treatment than HPV-ve ones. Because of this, there is some speculation that treatment may not need to be as severe for positive tumours.

There are many threads about HPV on this site and you can learn alot just trolling through the posts.


Karen
Love of Life to Alex T4N2M0 SCC Tonsil, BOT, R lymph nodes
Dx March 2010 51yrs. Unresectable. HPV+ve
Tx Chemo x 3+1 cycles(cisplatin,docetaxel,5FU)- complete May 31
Chemoradiation (IMRTx35 + weekly cisplatin)
Finish Aug 27
Return to work 2 years on
3 years out Aug 27 2013 NED smile
Still underweight