Hi Christine,
I'm assuming that this reoccurrence is also HPV+. The reoccurrence was also Base of Tongue, so in exactly the same site. I guess that although Kris had a clear PET last June, there must have been a few cells remaining that were not killed off by the radiation and Cisplatin. It was a small localized reoccurrence and not as large as the original tumour. Although his surgery was done on the original tumour margins. Guess we are one of the unlucky ones.
Tammy

Caregiver/advocate to Husband Kris age 59@ diagnosis
DX Dec '10 SCC BOT T4aN2bM0 HPV+ve.Cisplatin x3 35 IMRT.
PET 6/11 clear.
R) level 2-4 neck dissection 8/1/11 to remove residual node - necrotic with NED
Feb '12 Ca back.. 3/8/12 total glossectomy/laryngectomy/bilat neck dissection/partial pharyngectomy etc. clear margins. All nodes negative for disease. PEG in.
March 2017 - 5 years disease free. Woohoo!