Your dads cancer is very similar to mine... I understand he's older, but if they act quickly surgery and then rads and chemo it's catchable at this stage. (assuming his cancer isnt highly aggressive) the surgery isn't too bad of a recovery - though it may take a bit longer because of his age. Radiation is hard but doable. Oral cancer is not a good way to go. I would do the surgery then see what the results reveal. I have a small lisp and some scarring from the neck dissection - getting my shoulder and neck back in shape with physio took about 3-4 months. But I'm about 99 % - now 14 mos out of radiation 16 out of surgery.

Take care and god bless.

Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan