Oh -oh Brian, I have a feeling I might have screwed up in my explanation here. I'm trying to process info as it filters in through Dave and our primary(the ENT has not even spoken to us and now we won't go with him anyway). I'm probably mixing up terminology here.
He has one tumor. I thought the MD said it was base of tongue. It's towards the back of the tongue. As soon as it became painful he went to the Dr. He was a smoker(NO MORE!!!).
As far, as I know(and I sure don't know much) they are not saying it is anywhere else in his mouth.
But I guess that's what I'm wondering. what test do they do to determine that? Do they biopsy the jaw or cheek or does it show on the PET.

I do know that if it is in the nodes it spread(although I just read on the main part of the site that you need to biopsy the nodes for malignancy too but I guess they just assume it if the primary tumor is CA,right?).

My concern with t him saying it could easily be elsewhere if it was in the nodes was it contradicted him saying it was good didn't spread to the other side(according to the MRI. He seems skeptical about that).

I didn't ask about size or number either. All this info has been on the phone. After being on here, I honestly feel the best thing to do is wait till we meet with the Sloan guy and get a decent explanation.

just hung up the phone with Dave. I'm married to the world's nicest guy. Thought to myself,I don't care what Dr gloom and doom say you and I are getting through this and having a continued nice life together.
Theresa, I can't tell you how much I admire your attitude.