Agreed Tommy - i understand the rush to get it out - I too felt the same way. BUT it's important they get it all. Usually biopsy results take at least a week. A thorough biopsy at least will take that long, because they cut the tissue into microscopic pieces and examine them. sounds easy but there are usually a bunch of biopsies done daily - and other people are waiting for results too.

Also I agree with what David said with regards to going to a cancer center. The dr. May go in And remove the tumor - however if he doesn't get it all - she'll have to have another operation at a later date. this cancer can be tricky because it can spread to the lymph nodes in the neck - not to scare you but - cancer centers are experienced at dealing with this kind of cancer. They can predict based on Experience - where it can travel - and Therefore where to look for it and hopefully how to stop it's progression.

Usually prior to surgery they do a biopsy, give you the results, then send you for bloodwork, a ct scan, an MRI - then you see the specialist (In my case it was a surgical oncologist who specialized in head and neck surgery)- who will decide your treatment - he booked my surgery and performed it. Because my tumor was a fair size 2.4 cm x 1.4 cm deep they also grafted a piece of skin from my wrist to my tongue. This was a 10-14 hour surgery.
Plus despite having a clear ct scan of my neck they removed 40 lymph nodes and found cancer in one. I also prior to surgery met with a radiation dr. Who told me that depending on the results of my second biopsy (one they perform on the tumor they remove) I may or may not be offered chemo and radiation. In my case I was - for two reasons which I won't get into,

Now your mom may have a superficial tumor on the side of her tongue, but there are people who've had smaller cancers but it's still been found in a node or two, this is why someone who deals with this cancer is so important.

I guess what I am trying to say is - there are a lot of steps that people go through prior to surgery and treatment for this cancer - it seems like what your mom has had done prior to the decision to go ahead with surgery seems to be lacking. Either that ornyou you don't know everything (which is possible because as parents we sometimes like to protect our kids) or not everything was checked out properly.

My suggestion is - print off all of these replies and give them to your mom - let her read them over. That way she can make an informed decision. We all want the best care when faced with something like this. Fast isn't always the best though speed is important.

Best of luck and try not to worry - it's very possible it's a very superficial cancer In Which case a quick surgery will take care of it. But that decision should be made at a place that is used to dealing with that type of cancer. Take care.