I was diagnosed with HPV cancer of base of tongue March 2023. I had TORS surgery to remove tumor and lymph nodes through right neck dissection. 2 of which had cancer. I am 57. I chose Proton vs Photon Radiation as I feel it is much less damaging . In my opinion Proton is more targeted with less side effects. However, It is a battle as insurance companies do not want to pay for Proton when Photon is 50% less costly or more. Proton is like a pencil beam hitting the target and stopping. Photon is more like a flashlight beam which travels through the target area. I had to drive an hour to Proton treatment. Alot of people drive much further. Currently I am 120 days post 30 rounds of Proton Radiation to "cleanup" any cancer that may have been left behind from HPV16 base of tongue and Few Lymph nodes . l was very worried about going on a feed tubing , Dysphagia and Not being about to swallow (eat or drink). I started doing mouth,Neck, tongue and swallowing exercises prior to proton Radiation. If you have a Speech therapist they can help you with this. It was a struggle to eat during radiation and I FORCED myself. He will lose appetite and everything has no taste. However as far as today 120 days out of treatment. I can eat and drink about anything I want. My taste buds are about 35% and seem to be coming back . My throat mucositis is almost gone away and Saliva production is slowing getting better. My hair has stopped falling out. My stamina is back to about 80% . I chose no Chemotherapy as they could see the tumor through a PET scan. As I understand Chemo will travel throughout the body to "find" the cancer and attack it. Has he received a full body PET scan?