I"m new to this and never sure if these comments get posted. I really am very appreciative of the time and thought behind your comments. Though I have a large family still I have had few conversations about this cancer. So, again, I am very appreciative. Now....I'd like to share some of my own thoughts about this "journey". My symptoms are few: no pain...anywhere, no discomfort, no difficulty eating nor swallowing. Breathing, speaking and such are fine. In fact, I'm strengthening my vocal chords by singing and laughing more. Still, I do have and remain quite concerned about this rather large lump on the side of my neck. A much smaller one now comes and goes. I'm "guessing" my lymph system is trying to digest/dissipate/dispose of this cancerous node on the base of my tongue. But I don't really know for sure. So, I'm hopeful that my lifestyle changes (and I've generally led a peaceful and healthy life before this) will strengthen my immune system enough to suppress the cancer and leave me amongst the multitudes who have benign HPV. Hope,of course, like beliefs, can often be buried by knowledge. And, for that, I am still searching. So, of course, I'd love to see some longevity stats comparting treatment and nontreatment individuals. I have not yet learned that from my 3 brilliant docs at UCSD. And, I google but no luck. Any ideas?

DX in 12/2010. Stage 4 SCC HPV+ BOT swollen lymph. I've spent the past 3 years away from medical treatments. Instead I've focused on good nutrition, active exercise, singing, laughing, oral exercises and such. I've had neither pain nor discomfort. But I haven't been able to kill the cancer. So, I'm now considering robotic surgery and/or radiation.