I introduced myself a few months back, had a partial glossectomy due to the tumor on my tongue, the depth was 5mm so they did a nd early march. 73 lymph nodes removed, one positive at the IA level. No radiation. this concerned me but on we went. A few weeks before my 2 month follow up I found a lump in my clavicle (sp). Head and neck surgeon ordered a CT and that showed that the node had grown from 1cm to 1.4. By the time I went back to surgeon 2 weeks later I had discovered a spot on my tongue again. So went to see the surgeon and he said we needed to go back in and take the spot off the tongue and the node on my clavicle. I asked, arent we going to biopsy first he said no given what i'd been going through....ANOTHER surgery, my third in 5 months, he said the tissue on the tongue looked healthy and the nodes were shrinking, had I been under any stress????? YA THINK?..anyway, they took out another 15 nodes at the level 5 area and all biopsies came back clear (lesson here,,,,no surgery w/o biopsy for me ever again!) Now once again, he says we watch and see no rads.

My question here, I am at the CCF in Cleveland, and really want to get another opinion. Like my surgeon and everything but shouldn;t I be speaking with either an oncologist or a RO? The only dr. i've seen is the head and neck and his band of merry interns. he says he takes me to the tumor board and if i really want to talk to the ro he'll set it up. Me, I'm thinking a second opinion at another hosp.

Anyone out there with a suggestion at maybe UH in cleveland. It seems that this doc is just planning on cutting me till he cant cut no more..

thanks for any help!

Paula