I agree with Brian, but just didn`t want to be wrong about biopsies and stuff, my cancer started out as a mass at base of tongue also..........4 yrs ago.....stage 4...and I`m still here......once you know what`s going on and the plan of attack, it helps........for me the worst part was the waiting, once I had a plan of attack, I knew what I had to do.........hang in there, easier said than done.........positive thoughts are with you!!!!!