My husband was diagnosed last week with SCC in right tonsil and lymph node(s) in right neck. Seeking attention was prompted by a significant lump in neck. Berrium (sp?) swallow and CTs and more CTs to confirm that cancer is only localized. We did just do a PET yesterday. Also met with Radiation Oncologyst yesterday. Several options being presented. We may be getting ahead of ourselves trying to figure it all out until we see results of PET but to help make the best decisions for short-term treatment vs long-time quality of life, I have several questions (boy, how much room do I have here?). Question 1: Should we pursue surgery first and if so to what extent? Tonsil only or both? Concern with surgery first is that ENT who tested and did original diagnosis talked about removing all nodes in right side of neck and maybe the trapezoid nerve which would compromise my husband's ability to throw. He is an avid ball player himself and volunteer coaches along iwth my son the girls hs softball team. My husband lives for baseball so this scared him but no so much to hinder the fully required treatment. Our thought is that if it was just radiation and chemo, the nerve may not be impacted unless indeed it had been invaded. Will the PET show that? The surgery is obviously irreversible so again while we want to assure long term life, we are factoring everything we can think of into our decisions. Have more questions but this box is kinda freaking out on me.. Probably my computer. I thank you so very very much for your feedback and sharin gof knowledgeg and experience. Never thought I would have to be in a support group like this but ever thankful there is one! Thank you again!