I feel somewhat responsible for this exchange. Tom, I have yet to say welcome so WELCOME! I appreciate the different views and well thought posts. I also appreciate your sense of humor that I have seen in several other posts, and your observations in other subject areas.

I base much of what I think on what real-world observations I have made, statistics are a very small part of that. What I do notice are statistics that don't seem to jibe with the real world. Whilst I have very strong opinions in several subjects, I do keep an open mind (weather anyone here sees that open mind

Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.