Hi Stacie,
Sorry you have to be here, but welcome. I feel that as both HPV positive and negative cancer is treated exactly the same it is a moot point. Don't get too upset over it.
Is this follow up chemo because of the necrotic lymph nodes seen on the PET. Did he have a neck dissection at all?
BOT cancer is not usually treated by surgery as this has major consequences for quality of life.
Hope all goes well with this chemo.
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!