Sarah,

I am 29 and also non-smoker /non-drinker. I was diagnosed in January and had both sides of my neck dissected and a partial glossectomy. My tumor was a borderline stage I/II. They couldn't accurately measure it due to the way it sectioned in pathology - but regardless, all my nodes were removed and they were negative. Unlike you, I didn't have radiation - but I am sure you will be fine afterwards. My doctor says that he can't believe how fast I've healed as young people just tend to heal quicker in general. I'm back to 100% speech (well that is what everyone else says - I think more like 97% as I have one or two letters that I can still tell a difference) and can eat almost anything (crackers are hard for me to get down b/c my saliva is less now - since they removed 2 salivary glands.) I did consult with a top Rad Onc in this field in Ohio, and he stated they would radiate both sides of my neck if we had done radiation. That was b/c the tongue is considered midline -and sometimes will spread to one or both of the sides of the neck - so I'd guess they will either go full power on both or give you a weaker dose of radiation on the opposite side of the neck. They didn't do radiation for me b/c of my tumor characteristics. Unfortunately, mine was multi-centric - meaning it had several centers of foci and that was one problem in getting an accurate size. But, that also means it might "pop up" again in my mouth close to or far away from the original site and he wanted to be able to use radiation if that should occur (as if we did it now "just in case" we might radiate the wrong area and not be able to use it again should it occur on the other side). And, one of my margins was under 3mm (as close as 1mm - as the tissue broke during sectioning and they also didnt' get a good measurement here)- so a recurrence for me is highly likely - unfortunately. Sounds like you may never experience a recurrence if you go ahead with your treatment. I hope that is the case. I wish you all the luck and if you ever want to talk to someone very close to your situation in age and risk factors and prognosis - please feel free to send me a message.

Since my diagnosis, I am back to normal - almost. I still think about it everyday and have good and bad days of course - but I've even managed to get a start a new job during all of this - which people advised against - but I can share with you my feelings if you are thinking about that. Good luck!!

Amy