Hi Kevin, looking at your doctor's biography, he seems quite capable and is part of a Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) that most will recommend to you to go for treatment. Hopefully you will have a similar experience to me. I had leukoplakia on my tongue for three years before a sore developed last fall. It was cancer and I had surgery in February and then radiation from March to May, 30 treatments. So far all my PET scans are clear and I see my Dr every month. The surgery wasn't too bad but I did not have any lymph nodes excised. You may either follow up with radiation or radiation and chemo after your surgery heals up. This is a scary time but glad you have surgery scheduled so soon. Take it one day at a time and come back here with any questions or concerns you have.