Amanda,

When I was "interviewing" Moffitt, my RO, knowing what the previous doctors had recommended, told me that Moffitt no longer saw a benefit to a pre chemo/rad ND, opting instead to see if it was needed afterwards. He told me that (remember this was May 2006) they felt it was more important to begin the killing than it was to do the surgery and postpone the radiation until the patient recovered. Now I only had 2 suspected nodes and they were both less than 3 cm so I believe that played a role in their decision as well.

At this time Moffitt didn't know I would later test positive for HPV and just within the last 6 months my RO made the statement to me that if I was being treated today he might not have treated me as aggressively due to the HPV. I still haven't been able to ask him what he meant but I will on my next visit which I believe is in Aug

David

Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.