Ditto... if it's non HPV you should be okay without surgery, I would ask them to make sure they give your dad cisplatin or a cisplatin Erbitux combo, then because it is the gold standard. I know Erbitux is offered, however from what I gather it only works on people with certain markers. Cisplatin or carbo has a more potential issues with it but it is tried and true. best of luck,

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