I think the difference in the return of one's taste may have a lot to do with where your cancer was and where the rads was aimed. BOT or cancers of the oral mucosa may not receive the full bulk fo rads directly to their tongue where as oral tongue cancers get a major blast to their taste buds! which is why some may take longer to heal. Also individual anatomy plays a role of course. I was told I received bilateral radiation to the neck with the bulk of my radiation being focused on my poor tongue - - but slowly it's all coming back! Take care all