1. Everyone can react differently but I'm sure he will have some permanent saliva AND taste damage. Depends on the type of radiation, the radiation field, the amount of rad delivered to saliva glands, the rad plan developed by the RO, etc, etc. Where is he being treated? I was treated 6 years ago and I have recovered appx 90% of both but that's a unproveable guesstimate because you really forget what 100% is. Recovery can take all of 2 years so patience is the key and neither of you should expect (nor get discouraged) too much to soon.

2. His cancer slides can be and should be tested for the HPV virus. So far even though studies have determined that HPV+ SSC responds better to the same Tx and therefore has a reduced recurrence rate compared to HPV- SCC, cancer docs are reluctant to alter the Tx. Do you reduce the rads by 5%, 10%, 20%? Do you use a lesser potent chemo or none at all? Who wants to be the guinea pig? After all the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th goal of this Tx is to kill the cancer and keep the patient alive.

Glad you found this site. Use us as much as you need to. It's our goal to help you 2 as much as possible.

David

Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.