I am so sorry to hear of your news. Makes any qualms you had about turning 30 insignificant. I am a carer so keep that in mind when considering advice. Number 1, go to a comprehensive cancer centre for care. Number 2, do number 1. Number 3, accept all help and support available to you.

Questions you might ask -- depends on some of the other test results. You will want them to go over you pathology report in detail. This might include depth of invasion, cell differentiation and maybe evidence of perineural invasion. Maybe HPV status although HPV is more associated with cancers more towards the back of the mouth. Based on the results of your follow up tests, sometimes they recommend surgery alone, sometimes you have to decide whether or not to go for more aggressive treatment and that's when the questions come rolling out because at that point there are some mighty big decisions to be made.

You must be reeling from all this and your mind filled with darkness and despair. While this site is helpful, it can be scary at the same time. Try to keep things in perspective. The most frequent posters with best advice is from people who have been on this merry go round for more than one turn but there is no reason to think that will be your lot. Prepare for a huge mental fight, perhaps a physical one, too. Take you best shot at the Big C and allow yourself to be optimistic that you will kick its nasty behind.

Wishing you the best. Laura

CG to husband Stage IV SCC left tonsil 11/11. Mets to 7 nodes on left, 2 on right, no distant mets. PEG, 7 weeks radiation and weekly Cisplatin ended Feb 10, 2012. PET 04/12 areas consistent with inflammation, complete response in nodes. Recurrence 09/13 pulmonary lymphatics. Died 22 Oct following an allergic reaction to Erbitux.