It's a contradiction to say that you are "pro-active" in your health care when you have smoked for the last 25 years. It's more like "negative active". I applaud your decision to quit now. My step mother and sister (at 47) both died from smoking related cancer (both lung).

You didn't mention the staging or type of cancer you had. Assuming it was squamous cell carcinoma. You should have had a complete workup prior to treatment. That would have included an MRI or CT scan, PET scan, biopsy, chest x-ray, bloodwork and lab tests. They should have "scoped" you to determine that this was the only site and that there isn't an "occult" site elsewhere. The reason for all this testing is that SCC has a tendency to shed and set up new primary sites, especially in the respiratory system like the esophogus and lungs.

Tongue cancer can be more aggressive then say tonsil cancer and you must be very careful in how you deal with it. I would get a second opinion from a comprehensive cancer center (and radiation oncologist) about whether you should get a prophylactic treatment of radiation therapy.

I am kind of surprised about the attitude of the first ENT and also that you had your surgery done by a oral surgeon. Head & neck cancer is nothing to fool around with. The outcome is usually always better by seeking treatment at a comprehensive cancer center where they are highly experienced at diagnosing cancer and treating head and neck patients.

I had an oral surgeon, dentist, hygenist and an MD (who I specifically went to for the tumor which was large and highly visible). NONE of them accurately diagnosed it. Many of us here have had to learn this lesson the hard way. I am sure that this "earned" for me the late staging for my tumor.

I am not trying to frighten you , just convey that one cannot use too much caution in dealing with head and neck cancer.