I totally agree with Brian. Radiation coupled with Chemotherapy is the treatment of choice. The odds are on your side and you lose less quality of life. However, radiated tissue is radiated tissue. Post treatment surgery becomes extremely difficult, but recurrences are rare.
Stage 4 would be a pretty large tumor but it can be KILLED with radiation/chemo. Lymph node involvement is a throw of the dice.
Darrell

Stage 3, T3,N1,M0,SCC, Base of Tongue. No Surgery, Radiationx39, Chemo, Taxol & Carboplatin Weekly 8 Treatments 2004. Age 60. Recurrence 2/06, SCC, Chest & Neck (Sub clavean), Remission 8/06. Recurrence SCC 12/10/06 Chest.