Sorry you had to join, but welcome, Adam. I had tonsil cancer also that was diagnosed in 2009, as well as many others here, some with BOT, which is in the oropharynx also and treated similar. You're doing right by joining here, and educating yourself to make an informed decision with your family and doctors. It's difficult to say what to do since we're not doctors, don't have all the available information, but we can say what we went through and any insight into that. You're right, tonsil cancer is treatable, and has better prognosis if HPV related, so the biopsy sample can be tested for that, and should, and sometimes a p16 marker is used first. Anyway, all these terms will become familiar to you as time goes on. I didn't even know what an oncologist or an ENT, Ear, Nose and throat doctor, an otolaryngologist, was when I started.

Having choices are good. Basically, this cancer is treated with Surgery, Radiation or chemoradiation or a combination thereof. See the below OCF link with treatment information. Just about anything you need to know is here, and of course, ask your medical team also, and always keep them up to date.

Try to start your signature when you have a chance. It will avoid unnecessary questions, and let everyone know the type of HNC cancer you have, how many Lymph nodes are involved, what tests were done, your stage, tumor size, grade if you know, etc. Everyone has one at the bottom of their page, is limited to 500 characters, and you can see what everyone's else's treatment were also.

http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/understanding/

If you have any questions, ask anytime. Good luck.