My two cents worth, I smoked from age 18 til about 26. At age 44 I developed the sore on my tongue which was finally diagnosed as SCC. BUT, I heard over and over from my dentist and first oral surgeon, it can't be cancer, you don't smoke! (they both knew I had smoked when I was younger) Many months were wasted. Wellll, it was cancer! I have been tested for HPV and it came back negative. Not sure what any of this means, just thought I would throw it out there. Thank God the second oral surgeon only needed one look at it and knew. He scheduled me for surgery within two weeks! Have a great weekend everybody! Carol

Diagnosed May 2002 with Stage IV tongue cancer, two lymph nodes positive. Surgery to remove 1/2 tongue, neck dissection, 35 radiation treatments. 11/2007, diagnosed with cancer of soft palate, surgery 12/14/07, jaw split. 3/24/10, cancer on tongue behind flap, need petscan, surgery scheduled 4/16/10
---update passed away 8-27-11---