Bill,

I don't believe you have the Staging listed correctly as I don't think there is a M 3 classification. M = Distant Metastasis and the classifications are:

M X Distant Mets cannot be assessed;
M 0 No Distant Mets;
M 1 Distant Mets.

So if you have Distant Mets then any T and any N with a M 1 is a Stage IV in the Oropharynx region which is where the BOT and Tonsils are located. It would also be rare to see a Distant Met based upon all I have seen in the last 2 years.

If you don't have a distant met and assuming the rest of your staging is correct, then you would be staged a III.

Could be mistaken as I'm not an Oncologist or a doctor of any kind but either way your Tx would most likely be the same. Did they say there were going to take your Tonsils?

Have you been tested for HPV? I would as you're a likely candidate.

You also might want to read some recent posts on the Peg issue as some, including me, did not get the Peg and I'm glad I didn't. I would also want to get at least weekly hydration infusions and weekly Cisplatin Txs. I would also strive for a minimum of 3000 calories a day and 48 ozs of water each and every day.