Most post treatment scans are clear, in 90% percent range. I wonder why they did a RND, if there were no nodal involvement, metasteses, by the sound of your post, which may not be complete, but can answer that myself, and could depend on the primary tumor size, other negative factors, but these days a modified radical neck dissection, MRND, is done instead of a Radical to preserve one or more structures. Most recurrences occur the first two years, and recurrence or failure rate is high compared to non HPV, but that can also depends on the stage, TNM grading, and negative predictive factors, and can just see it in the five tear survival rates being less than 50%. Even if it does recurr, there still can be treatment options, and had 5 recurrences myself, multiple treatments, surgeries. I would take one day at a time, and so far it's clear, until proven otherwise.

I don't know what else to ask for if the PET is clear. Any further scan to prove otherwise, is not done, other than for a suspicion or scan schedule. Maybe your follow-up schedule.

Good luck.


10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil
11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp
01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks
06/11 30 HBO
08/11 RND PNI
06/12 SND PNI LVI
08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy
10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux
10/13 SND
10/13 TBO/Angiograph
10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI
12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo
11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO
03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN
09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy
04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site
06/17 Heart Attack Stent
02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs