Hi NewandConfused,

Welcome. Let me be the first, among many others I'm sure, to say - GET YOURSELF TO A CANCER CENTER AND SEE AN ONCOLOGIST!!

Being in Connecticut, you have many choices - Dana Farber and Mass General in Boston, Sloan Kettering in New York, Johns Hopkins in Maryland. These are National Cancer Institute Cancer Centers (except for Mass General, I think) and all have 1-800 self-referral phone numbers.

You need a second opinion. Round up all films, slides and reports and take them with you when you go for your appointment.

My mother has squamous cell lung cancer in the tonsillar pillar that spread to her soft palate. She also has cervical lymph node involvement. She is on her last week of radiation and finished her 6th chemo last week. This is a 71 yr old, 96 lb. woman who so far has come through like a trooper. You can to!

That's my advice. Let us know what other questions you may have. Also, take a look at previous posts to get a feel of what others have been through and done for this.
And do research on the internet - you are looking for "squamous cell carcinoma" or "head and neck cancer". Being knowledgeable about the disease is one of your best defenses.

Best wishes.

Cynthia