Absolutely get a second opinion! A good dr. Will tell you everything he intends to do, prior to cutting, he will give you the worst case scenario, but hope for the best. I am not sure if your hospital is a ccc - if not call up the nearest one and make an appointment! CCCs tend to have clinical trials etc.. as well as regular chemo, rads etc... And a team of drs who will all give you input. Also you can be re radiated - (several here have) as for your question about lymph nodes - if it's localized chemo, and rads can stop it. Have you had a neck dissection? When they removed the tongue tumor they should have done that (which is pretty standard with hat type of a tumor since its generally the next place it would spread). There are many here who've had node invlolvement, and surgery, rads and chemo did its job. Take care... And personally id run far and fast from a surgeon, who thinks he's awesome, but doesn't offer up full disclosure. Hugs and good luck!