Don't sweat David. If they have scanned everything and found no cancer anywhere else, then you are in very early stage. The first I knew of my cancer was when a massive lump appeared in my neck. It had already spread to the lymph nodes . Worst part was they searched and searched but never found the original source. So I had massive amounts of radiation all round, from the bottom of my ears down to my collar bones.......both sides.....back and front......everything....as well as 7 rounds of cisplatin. The did work out what sort of cancer it was from biopsy of the lump in my neck. It was basaliod SCC, it's only saving grace was that it was p16 positive. The treatment was tough to get through but I'm over two years past treatment now and looking good.
At least they know where yours started, which is a very common site. They probably will follow up the surgery with some radiation and chemo just to make sure they clean up any stray cells that may be lurking in your lymph nodes nearby that haven't grown to at detectable level yet. If your cancer is SCC and p16 positive, at your stage of development you'll be in the 90% plus range, in your favor, or complete cure that is. If it's not p16 positive your chances are still good at this early stage, but probably in the range of 50 to 70%.
You will almost certainly be cleared after treatment. Then the only question is if you will have a recurrence down the line. The vast majority of recurrences happen in the first two years after treatment, and most of the rest by the five year mark. After five years they count you as completely cured.
I'd bet large sums of money on you coming out of this fine. Your position at this time is better then most when the cancer is first discovered. Way better then my prognosis was, and I'm fine over two years post treatment. You be fine David 🙂
