 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | If the Primary is caused by HPV then the mets to the nodes will also contain the genetic marker. Only my node cells were tested as my Primary was found later. In my case I had no symptoms other than a slightly swollen non painful neck area almost as if I had worked out only one side of my neck muscles. I noticed it one day while shaving. I did the typical male thing and let it go for about a month and then I casually mentioned it to my wife one morning and you would have thought the world was coming to an end. I still fought her until it was finally confirmed cancer so I guess wives are good for something. LOL
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.
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