Fighter

I know only too well just how accurate Brian's post is about the serious life quality issues after base of tongue tumor surgery. While there are many similarities between oral cancer tumor, there are important treatment differences between cancer on the lateral or front part of the tongue or the cheeks and tumors at the base of the tongue My understanding is that surgery for BOT tumors is almost exclusively "salvage surgery", not done until and unless the tumor recurs after radiation and chemo. That's what my entire CCC team told me and assured me there that there radiation with chemo is quite "aggressive" enough treatment.
My suggestion is that your uncle demand a blood test for his TSH level and get the actual results with the numbers instead of just hearing the doctor say it's within "normal range". He will need a pre TX baseline if he does end up with thyroid damage (many do not, but of those who do, the "normal range" is so high it's hard to get the medicine needed without a baseline)
As you can see from my signature line, I had Stage IV BOT as well as "salvage surgery" and I learned this all the hard way
Best wishes for your uncle.
Charm