Lee,

I present the other side.

Moffitt told me at the very beginning that since the PET and scans only showed 2 nodes and they were small, I believe less than 2 cms each that they do not prefer the ND route initially; that radiation will kill the cancer and that if it reoccurres after rad/chemo then they would consider a ND. All of that was before I tested positive for HPV. In fact, I didn't get my HPV test until months after I had finished my Tx. Now we read that Johns Hopkins doesn't see the same need for ND's with HPV+ SCC as they do with HPV- SCC. I also don't know why they have come to that conclusion but it didn't really make a difference to me since Moffitt had already backed in to the same protocal.

Do I recommend you do it? I wouldn't ever make that call, it's a decision you have to make and you should try to get as comfortable with the pros and cons from oncology experts before doing so. First I would get the HPV tests results and if postive I would try to talk to Hopkins and see what they say and WHY.

I personally would be very interested to hear more from you as you go forward and if there is abything I can do to help, please let me know.