Questions

Hi

I can't answer the first question as I am only just starting my RT pathway.

I had PET scans which showed infection (under a tooth).  I don't think that is unusual, although my post treatment scans were later than 16 weeks.  They could spot the infection and discounted it for the purposes of the check for cancer.  I later had the tooth removed so as not to cloud and future PET scans

It is highly likely that they have caught all the cancer and I would not dwell on this possibility.  If necessary surgery may be an option, but there are a lot of issues with surgery as to where the tumour is, what it interacts with etc.  I have had 3 attempts at getting my cancer via surgery - I have a unique journey so don't read too much into that - and they are now trying RT.

Hi RosieFlower 

I was quite pale for some time. It’s not likely to be anything to worry about but you should mention it at his next review. I do t know when that is but I did have a review at six and twelve weeks. 
You're right about the PET. Inflammation can well show up as a hotspot but there are degrees of “heat” ( called standardised uptake value …. SUV) and the radiologists plus AI are pretty good at interpreting them. I had my PET/CT at 16 weeks. I did have a hotspot which on biopsy was benign. You can always ask that it be put off for a few weeks. Did your husband have 7 weeks of RT? 

Options for failure include surgery,  chemotherapy and immunotherapy. But treatment failure at this stage is extremely unlikely so please try to put that away. 
Hope this helps. 

I had similar diagnosis & treatment to your husband. Just had my one-year check-up which was all clear,  the chances are that your husband will be the same,  recurrence of HPV-related cancers is uncommon. His mouth should be a lot better by the time of his scan. I hope he manages some Christmas dinner - lots of gravy helps!