Tracy,
Mine was moderately differentiated also. Mine was really more like an ulcer, and it was slightly under a cm at its largest, but only 1 mm deep. My report said it had invaded muscle "focally" which means in that location, which would seem to indicate somewhat more aggressive.
Tongue tumors like ours are tricky so that is why they tend to use radiation to clean up after surgery, even if they think they got it all. All your margins are good except for the .4 cm, as you know.
The more recent research I have seen (can give links if interested) indicates that surgery followed by radiation for oral tongue cancer can give very good results, with high survival rates. It is not so bleak if the lesion is smaller.
Get a second opinion if at all inclined. Sounds like you are getting good care though. I would ask about that .4 cm margin--depth?? I think mine was not a lot wider/deeper than that however.
Best,
Anne
SCC tongue 9/2010, excised w/clear margins:8 X 4 mm, 1 mm deep
Neck Met, 10/2010, 1 cm lymph node; 12/21/'10: Neck Diss 30 nodes, 29 clear, micro ECE node, part tongue gloss, no residual scc
IMRT & 6 cisplatin 1/20/11-2/28/11 at MDA
GIST tumor sarcoma, removed 9/2011, no chemo needed
Clear on both counts as of Fall, 2021
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