New to this whole experience. frown Husband just had tonsils removed & neck dissection. Left tonsil and 2 nodes positive (same side) - T2/N2b. Stg 4A. Plan to start rads and chemo in about 2 weeks. I have 2 questions (well, only 2 right now!).
#1: Dr tells us that taste buds will get messed up but will come back -- maybe not completely, maybe not the same, but will come back. Doc is pretty adamant that salivary glands will be permanently damaged. What's the likelihood that he'll never produce saliva again because that's what we keep hearing. Dr prescribed salagen and plans to use amifostine prior to each tmt. He's already been to dentist for fluoride trays with instructions to use daily, forever.
#2: I understand that HPV+ cancers (esp oropharyngeal) have a better response rate to treatment. Does HPV+ play any part in determining the kind of treatment/drugs that will work best (rad and chemo)? The docs haven't mentioned HPV but he was never a smoker so I'm guessing that could be the culprit.

Husband Dx SCC left tonsil 6/2012 - T2/N2b, stg 4A. 48 y/o, never smoked, occasional drinker.
Both tonsils removed + neck dissection, 6/28/12. 18 nodes removed (2 pos).
7x5 RAD, started 7/30 and 3x cisplatin, started 8/3. Port inserted 8/2.
Still deciding: PEG?