 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Chris, While the majority of cancers in the Oral Cavity are associated with tobacco, there are cases where the cause is yet to be discovered. Since HPV is now the leading cause of cancers of the Oropharynx region perhaps another virus is among us or perhaps HPV is related to yours due to your age and other habits? Being a CPA I like things to "fit in boxes" so I'm always looking for the answer. Also, not to make you feel worse, but even without the cancer your 5 yr survival rate at your age was not 100% statistically speaking.
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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