Hi Pamy, I don;t have much experience or knowledge yet. My mom has had a needle biopsy and a PET scan, though, and we know that she has malignant tumors, including a large mass at the BOT. She be going in for some exploratory surgery in Monday and after that, we will learn treatment recommendations. We know that she will be having radiation and chemo (the tumor is quite large); what else, we don't know yet. There's so much that we don't know, it seems. This is I do know:

-people's reaction to chemo and radiation varies greatly in both the short and long terms. It's also greatly impacted by where the tumors are and the radiation is directed.

-the tumor size and location determines whether surgery is necessary in the beginning. The response to treatment will determine whether surgery is necessary later.

This is what our doctors has said what people here have also written about. As for my family, we are taking it a day (and test) at a time.

After the exploratory surgery, mom's 3 doctors will meet and update the tumor board. We hope to learn their recommendation on April 10 or 11. Mom is already booked for chemo and radiation on April 22, but that can change if surgery happens. Or for other reasons, probably. Who knows?! It's a waiting game for us right now. A ton of doctor appointments. Teeth cleaning on Friday. If feels like life is on hold until we hear back after the tumor board.

Fingers crossed that you will have something that's not so bad.
In any case, I wish you the best of luck.