Hi Magen:

I had 1/4 of my tongue removed in June 2010. There is still a divot on that side of the tongue although most grew back in the first couple of months after the surgery. I was not able to eat anything solid the first week or so after the surgery. The sensation on that side of the tongue is different, eating/chewing from that side is not the same, and the tongue tends to feel a little heavy at times (especially if I've done a lot of talking). But, I wouldn't say that eating or speaking is difficult, or that quality of life has greatly diminished. I can pretty much eat anything and only some words may have a bit of a lisp.

Even after all that I have learned about cancer the last 2+ years, I had never heard of cancer caused by rubbing of the tongue on the teeth until this week when an ENT I saw (on an unrelated issue) mentioned it after seeing my medical history and inquiring about it. That could very well have been the case for me since the oral surgeon who did the initial biopsy thought that is what caused the canker-like sore on my tongue (he didn't even think it was cancerous) -- and since I never smoked, was a social drinker, and was HPV negative. I myself thought I may have been rubbling my tongue on my teeth when I slept since it always hurt first thing in the morning.

My signature line has more information, which may or not be relevant for your dad at this point. Feel free to ask any questions you may have, and you can send a private message if that is your preference.

Tim