Hi,

I need to chime in here.

I had an occult tumor, not visible with a scope or a mouth exam. The only indicator was one Level II lymph node that was swollen to about the size of a green grape. A biopsy of the node was suspicious for metastastic cancer. Surgery and a further biopsy confirmed scc and determined the right tonsil harbored a 8 mm tumor, hidden in the folds of the tonsil. I ended up losing the tonsil, a salivary gland, and several more lymph nodes--only the tonsil and one node was positive for scca. I suffered through IMRT, but now am recovering nicely (although I will probably never be the same, either mentally or physically).

After reading the thread above, my case is consistent with an HPV based scc.

My doctors never have tested me for HPV.

Should they? Or is it merely an academic issue? It may make me sleep better at night knowing that HPV based scc has a better prognosis. But is it "medically" necessary to determine whether or not HPV is involved?

Thanks,

Oscar

Stage IVa SCCA, rt tonsil, (1) level II node (3.2 cm). No ECS. Neck dissection, 30 IMRT. Spared chemo because no ECS.