Chris,
I am a 4-year stage 4 survivor. I was negative for HPV, and was a non-smoker and light social drinker. My primary was on my left lateral tongue and I also had lymph node involvement. I will be 68 on August 11, which will also be the fourth anniversary of my last radiation treatment. There are many others who have made it a lot longer than I have. I am sure that they will weigh in here, too.



Female, nonsmoker, 70, diag. 5/09 after tongue biopsy: stage IV. Left hemi-gloss. and left selec. neck disec. 30 lymph nodes removed May 20. Over 7 weeks daily rads. with three chemo. PEG removed 12/4/09 Am eating mostly soft foods. Back to work 11/09 Retired 4/1/11. 7 clear scans! Port out 9/11. 2/13. It's back: base of tongue, very invasive
surgery involving lifestyle changes. 2/14: Now speaking w/Passey-Muir valve. Considering a swallow study. Grateful to be alive.