Hi Belinda
No Rob didn't have any underlying issues,he was as healthy as an ox and hadn't seen a doctor for 15 years.He was however a heavy drinker and a smoker and of course his diagnosis was missed by a negligent dentist who failed to identify his tumour when he saw it seven months prior to his eventual diagnosis.By the time it was found he already had a very large secondary and his survival chances were reduced to 30% from the outset.You have so much to fight for and thats half the battle,the other half is youth,strength and great doctors.
The very best of luck


Liz in the UK

Husband Robin aged 44 years Dx 8th Dec 2006 poorly differentiated SCC tongue with met to neck T1N2cM0 Surgery and Radiation.Finished TX April 2007
Recurrence June/07 died July 29th/07.

Never take your eye off the ball, it may just smack you in the mouth.