i was negative in the nodes and had chemoradiation first for the tongue. the chemoradiation was effective, but not enough. i ended up having surgery anyway, and since they were performing surgery and cutting me up, they did a neck dissection to be proof positive. everything came back negative.

my experience was that an RO tells you that radiation is fine and no cutting is necessary, while a surgeon tells you should always cut first, and radiate afterwards if necessary.

My advice: see a surgeon if for nothing else than a 2nd opinion.