Mark --

You have come to the right place -- and please have your brother sign on as well. The OCF web site is invaluable (and one of the best cancer web sites I have ever seen) and it will give him the knowledge base from which to make a decision.

Since he has base of tongue tumor like my husband, probably Sloan (NYC) and Hopkins (Baltimore) will recommend treating first with radiation and chemo, because of quality of life concerns from the rather drastic tongue surgery -- selective surgery would be done afterwards if tumor remains.

Wherever he goes for an initial consult, he should try to get a second opinion to help with his decision. We went to Sloan-Kettering (from Maryland) and felt it was well worth it. While they simply confirmed the initial diagnosis and presented very similar treatment options, it gave my husband and me the information we needed to start his treatment.

Good luck to both of you -- he will need your support in the coming months and it looks as if you are there to give it!

Gail