Hello.

I was diagnosed with tongue cancer back in March 2001. Since then, I have received the maximum radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Completing all treatments in May of 2001. I was cancer free for only two months and a biopsy showed the cancer was back in July. I am a stage 4 and the cancer is large on the right side of my tongue.

The next step is radical surgery. The doctor wants to take out my lymph nodes (on both sides of neck), tongue, and voice box. Reconstruction surgery for my tongue and a trek will be done also.

I am a 51 year old man and have never been scared in my life. I have been putting this surgery off since Sept and they say I better do something now.

I would like to know if anyone has been through this radical operation and the survival rate. The doctor says
he can't even say this surgery is more successful than leaving the cancer alone. He also stated he would try his best to get out all the cancer because I can receive no more radiation.

Help is very appreciated