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Hi Neil: Like you, I have a family member (brother) with tongue cancer and this is my first post, too, although, again like you, I have lurked for a while. Because my brother is not very communicative (except w/his wife), I have made an effort to learn about this disease so I could be supportive/useful/whatever to my brother & his family.

To answer your question, in my search for information I have found, on the internet, people who have lived 8-10 years w/out reoccurances. Not many, but I did find a site (don't remember much about it, found it using google)that was a transcription of a radio program & one of the participants was a Dr. who had survived tongue cancer (or oral cancer, I seem to remember he had the same as my brother - cancer at base of tongue) 10 years at that point. The other participants were also oral cancer surviviors and I seem to recall (but not strongly) that one of them had survived 8 years and the other less time but still noteworthy (4 years? 5? Don't recall).

I have done a fair amount of research in the last year & almost a half, and have several college degrees (social sciences), so I think I understand most of what I read. So, that said, what I have learned is that oral cancer is a virulent cancer but some DO survive it.

My own theory (unsupported by data) is that those who survive had fewer risky behaviors (e.g., were not smokers) or were detected early or have good genes. There is not enough known about the causes of cancer (besides the more obvious like tobacco)to explain differential survival rates.

I personally don't believe in a god nor in prayer, so I look for more concrete explanations for survival (e.g., fewer risk factors, better health at diagnosis), but I could be wrong (it won't be the first time). Maybe some 'God' decides that some will live and some will die. There are no data either way (from my perspective). I do respect the right of other people to believe whatever they want.

I would like to say at this point that, after watching my brother deal w/this horrible disease, and after reading so many posts by people at this forum, that I am impressed by the bravery of all of these oral cancer survivors. You guys are so awesome! I have learned more than I ever wanted to know about cancer in the last year & almost a half and I am still impressed by how brave you all are in the face of such a disease.

Candace, Davis, California
sister of man who had tongue cancer, diagnosed 4/03, finished tx 9/03. Eleven clear exams. He is a nonsmoker, fairly heavy drinker, vegetarian, very fit man of 57.