Ruby,

You need to be very aggressive with this...it's your life and your choices. You have to make the right choices through research/experiences and due diligence. Staying on top of the situation is a must...My tumor (4.778cm) was removed from my tongue with clean margins...except...except to the rear of my tongue...even though it was a clear margin...the tumor went right butt smack against the clean margin...My ENT told me that's why radiation is so important...even though I had a clean margin.....it's too close not to do the radiation...radiation kills what ever is left behind...the unseen.

Now, for me...because of various tests...I was recommended to have surgery then radiation by 4 differnt Doctors that were not associated with each other. Radiation even with clean margins...But, all the decisions were mine to make...my life...my decisions. I'm recovering from surgery and can hardly talk right...I sound like I have a couple of fingers in my mouth, MAYBE IT'S MY FOOT...once I recover I'll be doing about 7 weeks of radiation. My choice and I have to live with it...and I feel my choices enable me the best chances of survival and that's what I'm shooting for...survival...living to 92 would be nice!

My group of Doctors included...my Family Doctor, Dentist, Periodontist, two Oral surgeons, Oncologist, ENT, and a Radiologist/Oncologist...Between the Doctors, the insurance company, FMLA, and my company...it's a full-time job...But an important one.

All of us here have important decisions to make and important questions not only to be asked but also answered. Listen, take notes, takes names, write numbers down, write all your questions down, get a loved one or buddy to go to all appointments with you...(my mother or girlfriend go to all Doctor visits...I tend to get lockjaw or brain-freeze and don't have questions until I leave their office(s). I'm one of those that needs a list of questions with me...

Margins...I'm 37...my margins were clean...close but clean...and I'm getting 7 weeks of radiation...my decision.

Stay on top of it and good luck!

Best wishes, Raymond

7-16-08 age 37@Dx, T3N0M0 SCC 4.778cm tumor, left side of oral tongue, non smoker, casual drinker, I am the 4th in my family to have H&N cancer
8-13-08 left neck dissection and 40% of tongue removed, submandibular salivary gland & 14 nodes clean, no chemo, IMRTx35
11-4-08 Recovering & feeling better