K, There are several people (regular posters) that were told they didn't need radiation. Now they are having to face serious realities. It is CANCER after all and it can and does KILL. I would get the finest care you can afford, at the largest comprehensive cancer center you can get to. The first time around offers the best hope.

As far as HSV-2 is concerned, I have not seen ANY suggestion that there is ANY cancer relationship to HSV-2. Even with the HPV connection, not all HPV viruses are known to cause cancer. In my not so humble opinion there is no value in blame at this point he HAS cancer, no amount of blame will change that. If blaming tobacco will keep him off the stuff then that is the only blame I can see as productive. If he persists in blaming you then I think serious counciling is in order (for him)

If you need scary statistics then: If he has a reccurance of this cancer the statistical 5 year survival numbers drop to 5 to 10%!

Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.