My mother was diagnosed for Tongue Cancer in Jan 2011. She had partial glossectomy followed by 30 doses of IMRT and Weekly cisplatin. Her treatment ended May 2011.

Last week (Oct 2011) she went for a regular checkup where the oncologist found a small tumour (around 1.5 cm)on the other side of the neck. The Biopsy result turned out to be positive.

She did her PET scan today. Dr advised that surgery is the only option since she had already completed her radiation.

I am a bit scared considering the recurrence happened within a span of 5 months even after extensive therapy.

Also her radiation and chemo started 7 weeks after surgery, could this have been the cause of recurrence or failure of initial treatment?

Anxious and scared, pls advise