← Return to Negative NavDx Pre Treatment HPV16 Squamous Cell Cervical Lymph Node

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Negative NavDx Pre Treatment HPV16 Squamous Cell Cervical Lymph Node

Head & Neck Cancer | Last Active: Nov 2, 2025 | Replies (13)
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Profile picture for maryannecrawford @maryannecrawford

Hello . Yes. My husband Joe has CUP. He had a negative NavDX as well. When we went to Mayo they explained that a negative NavDx is not definitive, just a snap shot. CUP puts you into a fog of uncertainty that is very difficult road to navigate. I am not sure where you are in your journey, we are six months in. Joe had 3 surgeries and Joe is halfway through his chemotherapy and radiation. We feel confident in our doctors here in Georgia, thanks to going to Mayo for a second opinion. Wish you as much clarity’s on your journey as it is very challenging.

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Replies to "Hello . Yes. My husband Joe has CUP. He had a negative NavDX as well. When..."
ja963 | @ja963 | Aug 9, 2025

Thank you for the response. Yes, CUP does make things a bit difficult. (Clear as mud)I had TORS and neck dissection in Jan. 2025. Pre treatment: PET/CT, CT, biopsy of lymph node, scopes of all reachable anatomy, and NavDx. No positive findings in oropharynx, but positive findings for Lymph Node on PET/CT, CT and biopsy(pre surgical and post surgical). So right now I am just being “observed” with a pending NavDx test, which is why I am asking about others who have had a negative NavDx from the get go.

My surgeon did not go too much explaining the negative findings, just kind of glad it was negative, and was dealing with all the fun stuff that comes with surgery.

have read a few other posts and without going in to the details, it seems that the HPV can integrate itself into the tumor DNA, and that is why it comes up negative.

I also found this you tube video with Dr. Mihir Patel, surgeon, and he also briefly mentioned that the cancer “transitions” from the oropharynx and into the neck. Sooo, that might be the reason we don’t see the positive NavDx?

Did your docs go in to explaining the negative NavDx finding? Other than it just being not definitive?

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