I finished DART 2.0 treatment three months ago. Heading back to Mayo for my followup PET scan next week.

I had HPV-16 positive, T2N1M0 SCC of the tonsil, with large masses in my left left nodes. Was able to end treatment early when the blood test came back at zero, which was great because I was becoming quite distressed about the side effects at that point (not to mention being away from home and family for six weeks).

Side effects were exactly what they told me to expect, on precisely the timeframe they gave. Should be the same for you.

Highly recommend participating in the DART 2.0 study if you qualify, and cannot recommend Mayo’s proton beam therapy strongly enough. Outstanding people and technology.

It isn’t easy but you’ll get through it and the chances for an actual curative result are strong. Good luck!