I would go for a second opinion at one of the CCCs you mentioned or Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. Usually they do a Scan first - CT or PET. I’ve had 4 surgeries on my tongue and the first one was done locally. Found out months later they did not get clear margins and ended up having radiation. My last two surgeries were at Hopkins after I had a recurrence. Hopkins and most larger hospitals do a biopsy during surgery to help ensure they get clear margins - commonly called frozen sections. Speaking from experience I wish I had gone to Hopkins first. Good luck!