Least anyone take MSG's opinion about recurrence to the point of worry, it would seem that at least at the 5 year mark there is actually a survival advantage and not a propensity for recurrence in individuals with HPV16+ primaries. I am at the 10 year timeline, and an recurrence free. There is no data to support a recurrence tendency for people with HPV16 as the original primary cause. But until large numbers of people reach 10, 15, 20 years we will not know for sure. As to carcinogenesis from other sources like tobacco, we already have the dismal recurrence data.

Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.