Well I finally got the pathology results from my surgery and it turns out that while the margins around the tumour were great, the cancer did show up (in microscopic amounts apparently) in 3 out of 30 lymph nodes. None of the lymph nodes showed any visible sign of infiltration - discovered during the pathology.

I should note that my surgeon - upon seeing how upset I was today - told me not to panic yet - he would tell me when it was time to panic, but that we weren't there yet. I was happy to hear that positive slant. He also however reiterated that each of us gets up in the morning and has no idea whether we will successfully see the end of the day so life is unpredicable, as is this cancer.

At my first cancer surgery I had 32 radiation treatments - not IMRT - just regular radiation and a partial glossectomy. I did not have chemo at that time.

While I have not discussed this with the radiation doctor, I may not be eligible for re-radiation. It has been 3 1/2 years since the last surgery/treatment. I see the radiation doctor next week.

My surgeon says there are options at this point.

One option is to "do nothing - wait and see - regular checkups". The surgeon said they DID remove the nodes that were cancerous, and he has no indication that there is any cancer anywhere else in my body. They will be doing another MRI in January. Obviously it would have been better if there had NOT been any lymph node involvement, but that isn't the case here. My feeling about this option is that we are dealing with an aggressive disease and should be just as aggressive in our approach. I think. Maybe.

My initial thought there would be that there is no downside (aside from norman chemo treatment effects..horrid as they are, but apparently they would be able to have another bout of chemo should the need arise - not like radiation. My first cancer was base of the tongue - 2nd was other side of the tongue but further forward - classed as "oral" rather than BOT. I note in many of your posts that chemo seems to be a routine issue for cancers which sound VERY similar to mine, yet my surgeon agrees that here that does not seem to be a common practice. I have no idea what difference a border makes here (Canada / US) but there definitely does seem to be a difference. mal chemo ugliness/sickness, etc) in taking chemo. Sounds to me that this might be the "better safe than sorry" option in case those miserable lymph nodes have spread their poison.

Another option would be to pursue newer types of radiation - either here or in the States.

Any/all, please feel free to throw in your comments - they will be welcomed. And, thank you all. It was wonderful to know where to turn with my question that I know only you people will understand.

Donna