Sorry to hear Ivrerock. I guess this is a new or secondary cancer or does it have metastatic cells? I had five recurrences in 3 years, so I know how you feel. I'm probably more chemo and radiation resistant, and all mine were metastases. Anyway, you have to deal with it, no choice, and seems you are with the thought of being tested in life, and proceeding with proper care.

HPV is usually not found in the oral cavity, oral tongue. There is something called the "field of radiation" whereby cancer is outside the tumor area, and clear margins, so it can come back, and is usually from exposure to a carcinogen, usually smoking, but there are others as well that may have a casual role. Then there is metachrounous and synchronous cancers that can occur at the same time as the original cancer or a later date, usually from carcinogen exposure in the aerodiegstive Tract.

Whatever the cause, you seem to have a plan of action in place. Any radiation, chemo after? I never heard of this hospital, living on the east coast, but is it a CCC? Maybe get a 2nd opinion. Not too many people get chances after this, let alone after the first time.

There is brachytherapy and intraoperative radiation therapy, that are used as a radiation boost. IORT, which I had, is a mutistep process 1) doing the dissection to remove any cancer 2) High Dose Intraoperative radiation during surgery, 10-20Gy directly on the tumor with probes, while the area is still open, so it bypasses skin, structre, muscle any other areas, protects vital structures. 3) put in a flap, one being to be able to get more radiation after 4) do full dose IMRT and chemo several weeks later. This is only good for SCCC, if that is what you have, and is donne at a few CCC. Just mentioning other options that may be available.

Good luck, and hope this helps.