My husband was dx with BOT with 1 lymph node involvement stage 3 initially also on February 25th. However, after biopsy from surgery on March 7th returned, he was downgraded to Stage 1 due to HPV POS status, even though surgery with total right radical neck showed a microscopic involvement of 2nd lymph node and the large node had extra cellular extension. There are new staging for HPV POS because it generally responds better to treatment. Once initial dx was done we prayed for HPV. Get your biopsy reports, set your plan and stay positive. You will see many on here that have long, hard survival journeys. It’s not an easy treatment but doable from what many say. Get to the best comprehensive cancer center you can reasonable manage, don’t play around and have regrets that you didn’t drive that extra couple hours. Good luck. This site has been a great resource and support system.

Wife and cheerleader. Right sided BOT dx 2/25, surgery 3/7 for tumor removal (clean margins) 2 lymph nodes 1 pos for ECE (ugh), pT2N1M0 HPV POSITIVE (one small blessing in this nightmare), Stage changed to Stage 1 due to diffuse and large HPV status. tx plan 33 radiation, 5 cisplatin chemo to begin 4/12.