In many cases the primary tumor can be dealt with, without surgery at the primary site. I for one, was treated at MDACC, and had radiation to my right tonsile and the surrounding area where the stage 4 primary was located, and had no intraoral surgery. All of my surgery was related to the neck dissection. I have not heard of this treatment modality on the tongue, but I am not an expert on this.

Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.