Hello all,

My mother has been diagnosed with Stage 2-3 tongue cancer , squamous cell carcinoma. Two doctors have been consulted and both agree on Dx and Tx: right side glossectomy plus reconstruction plus radiotherapy. In addition, all neck lymph nodes must be removed because the 4 cm tumor is close to the mid-line of the tongue and could have spread to both sides of the neck. My mother is diabetic and is 80 years old. She used to smoke 1-2 packs but quit 20 years ago. HPV is being tested for but it is not likely a HPV cancer.

My mother doesn't want to go ahead with the surgery. She prefers to live 1-2 years in her current condition than maybe 5 years with disabilities (loss of speech, feed tube, etc). Currently she looks healthy and has only minor pain in the tongue when she eats certain foods. The doctor said that rad and chemo can be given in attempt to slow the cancer in addition to palliative care if no surgery is done. Both doctors that have been consulted recommend that she has the surgery but she is not willing to do so.

I am trying to inform myself on the outcome of both options so I can relay this information to her. I want her to have a clear picture of what is going to happen if she doesn't have the surgery. These are some of the questions I have: Will the cancer inevitable evolve to the point it is going to be more painful than the surgery? This is one of my fears. She might regret not doing the surgery after the cancer starts to spread further.

Are there any survivors that were diagnosed at 80 years old and lived up to 5 years or more?

She told me her diagnosis just 4 days ago when I went to visit for her birthday. She has known about this for one month, although the second option was given just 10 days ago. I already went to talk with her doctor but I am only learning about this disease. Any suggestion, explanation, advise from the group would be very useful and very much appreciated. In particular any advise that can help her make the correct decision regarding the surgery.

Bruno