Hi, Lori Ann,

I can understand how shocked and overwhelmed you must feel and how surprising it is that surgery did not remove the entire tumor. Many people with base of tongue/tonsil SCC on this board did not have surgery to remove the tumor (just a biopsy) and radiation and chemo represented the actual treatment. My husband is a similar age, is a healthy non-smoker and light drinker, and had a poorly differentiated tumor on his left tonsil/base of tongue area and one positive node as well. However, his ENT did not remove it given that the tumor had spread to adjacent areas as well (which have similar tissue to the tonsil). He had a "surgical" biopsy. He did not have a neck dissection (this option was presented as a possibility that might occur after radiation and chemo if necessary) and it turned out to be unnecessary after he had completed chemo and radiation. He had induction chemo and then 7 weeks of chemo/radiation. He had a peg tube inserted prior to chemo/radiation as well as a chemo port. If your husband has already lost so much weight and is thin, I would strongly recommend a feeding tube as even on that, he will lose more weight (my husband lost about 30 pounds on the feeding tube and 10 before getting it). As Cookey said- hydration and nutrition are critical in getting through treatment. I remember at first thinking that my husband would get surgery and that would be that and then being shocked and scared as the intensity and duration of the treatment plan was described. But, the good news is that a year out of treatment he is doing pretty well and his scans show no evidence of cancer. I know you will find support and information on this board to help you get through this.

Let me know if I can provide any help, support or information- Sophie H.