Ditto for me too... Get a second opinion at a cancer center. Your mother has already waited too long. Dr. X is a hack - sorry but tongue cancer is painfu! I had trouble eating for years! And yes ear pain can be attributed to the whole thing. I had ear pain because of the lymph node I had involved. It's possible whatever is going on in her throat and her node is related is causing her ear pain. Take care and best of luck with your mom.