Shivani. If you're in the states make sure you're at a CCC (comprehensive cancer center). It sounds to me like his cancer is in his mouth (oral tongue) not throat (base of tongue) this cancer usually best treated by surgery first then radiation and chemo,(two different causes - two different front line treatments) the idea being you get rid of the bulk of the cancer and mop up any left overs with rads and chemo. If you are in the states he needs to be seen at a CCC. If you are elsewhere in the world then he should still be seen at a top cancer center in your country. At this point the drs are right - he will need salvage surgery you want a top ENT to perform the surgery. Hopefully they are quick to get him in because this cancer can spread very quickly. Push push push. Hugs and let us know how things progress.