I agree, as far as radiation. I once heard, the key to survival is controlling the nodes, besides the primary. The reason I asked how many nodes were involved is that it can determine the treatment and prognosis. The least nodes involved the merrier in this case. Recently they like to see more nodes removed, I think like 16 or 23, as minimum, as I read two different articles, and the more the better, but do know everyone is different in numbers, and location, so I don't know how that factors in. As far as being HPV related, that's usually with oropharynx cancers like Base of Tongue, and Tonsils. Even if so, it doesn't change matters with cancers outside the oropharynx, which is of different biology, recently deescalation of treatment, and favorable prognosis.