Unforunatley, I am getting ready to have surgery, 4 months post-radiation. They weren't able to get my full tumor w/ rad and chemo so now I have to have surgery. So, yes it is possible. My ent thinks he can get it out. Of course, I will have to lose almost half of my tongue. At this point, however, I'm just ready to be rid of the tumor. Another radiologist in Chicago told me he would do radiation w/ a very targeted plan a second time, if absolutley necessary. It would have horrible side effects, though.
Let's just pray your partner will get rid of it w/ radiation and you won't have to worry about it.