Justlilomee,

I was diagnosed with stage 1 SCC of the tongue on 5/23/03 and had a partial glossectomy and modified neck dissection on 7/1/03. All 46 nodes that were examined were negative for canacer. Before surgery, I had a PET scan and a Cat scan. I was scoped. I saw three head and neck surgeons (ENTs) for consults before my treatment.

I am a dental hygienist and I knew I had something going on but had a very hard time getting diagnosed. Everyone who looked at me, including a head and neck surgeon and serveral dentists and hygienists said it was nothing. The diagnosis scared me to death because of the knowledge and experience I had with the disease on a professional level.

I pursued a surgeon who would remove my lymph nodes on the affected side because that is the way this cancer spreads. I did not consider radiation because I didn't want to deal with the long term side effects (I am only 42) but there are lots of people on this board who would argue over that with me. If I were you, and having just gone throught it myself, I would not opt for just the tongue surgery. The neck dissection has made me feel much more confident about my long term survival. Find out where patients are being treated aggressively at a comprehensive cancer center near you and go for a second opinion.