Maureen, I was diganosed with stage 4 oral cancer, which started in my tongue then went into the lymph glands. I had surgery, followed by radiation and chemo. I am over two years out of treatment, now and am doing fine. I was considerably younger than your father when I was diagnosed (64) and was in very good health. The treatment is very rough, and the after effects stay with you for a long time. I still have issues with eating, but I am not sorry that they were aggressive with my treatments. Your father will have to evaluate things very carefully.