My ENT had me come in to an outpatient surgical center for a biopsy of the base of tongue tumor, and a fine needle biopsy of the lymph node. Went home an hour later, with appointment at the nearest CCC. It was then that I was scheduled for the bilateral neck dissection. They did not resect my base of tongue tumor -- it was treated exclusively with radiation/chemo (referred to as "definitive radiation").

This is basically to highlight Brian's points. I still see the surgical oncologist, radiation oncologist and medical oncologist on a regular basis for follow ups. The team approach is key.