You would only have lymph node enlargement if the cancer has moved into your lymph nodes - if it is only in your tongue - then no. However just because the node isn't enlarged doesn't mean there aren't cancer cells there. I am not sure how large or deep the sore spot on your tongue is - if it's superficial they may just remove a portion of it and leave it assuming they get clean margins ( that means there is an area around the entire tumor that has no cancer cells) - if it's large and deep they may have to cut it out and rebuild your tongue - that's a pretty involved surgery - and it is common for them to remove a bunch of lymph nodes in your neck at the same time. If they find it in a node or two that has cancer - then they may send you for radiation and chemo. The next step after a biopsy - if it comes back positive for cancer is an MRI and/or CT scan to see if any of your nodes light up. I had both. None of my nodes lit up at the time - however by the time I had surgery - I had one node involved! So they removed 40..

Good luck Friday - hope it is just a sore tongue but even if it is keep a very close eye on it and if it doesn't heal continue to push to have it treated or removed. It can very easily turn into something dangerous. Take care