I'm going to reiterate what the people here are saying if it is an HPV+ BOT cancer it responds very well to radiation and chemo. Surgery is usually not offered. If it is Non HPV then surgery is the primary treatment. Most BOT cancers are HPV+. I know you are in New Zealand, please do make sure you are being treated at a comprehensive cancer center of some sort. A place that sees and does cancer all the time. Perhaps there is a reason they are choosing to operate - do find out why. Best of luck and unfortunately - welcome. ;o)

Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan