jag,

As Gary pointed out, there are many factors involved in getting as complete a picture as possible of the nature of your husband's tumor and the surrounding area. Even if the pathology report says all nodes are clear, I would still urge you to get to a major cancer center for a second opinion. In my case, the pathology report showed clean margins all around after a partial glossectomy and neck dissection, but there were some signs that the tumor was becoming aggressive and my cancer team pushed strongly for radiation as well. Many people here can tell you it's best to hit this disease hard at the first opportunity.

Please keep us posted on how your husband is doing, and feel free to ask questions as you go along -- there are plenty of people here who have been through something very similar and can give you great support.

Cathy

I guess I am somewhat confused as to what is floor of mouth and what is tongue You all seem to indicate tongue is it one in the same?
Thanks for your help
jag

I THINK the floor of the mouth in under the tongue between the base of the inside of the tongue and the front teeth. There is a very large salivary gland there in the the middle.

Thanks for all the answers to questions I will know more tomorrow. However, let me say the Dr we are seeing is considered one of best aggresive cancer surgeon in country. He works out of a cancer research center but we are only an hour from Boston so I will not hesitate to go there if I feel the need

Dear jag, I would like to know more about the "floor of mouth" diagnosis. That was John's diagnosis. During surgery, they removed part of his tongue, part of the floor of mouth and jaw bone on the side with the tumor. I have always been somewhat confused about the diagnosis. Amy

I understand that tongue and floor of mouth are close but I am concerned the bx was floor of mouth and now I see all this talk about glossectomies. I guess I will know what it means later today . My husband's actual bx'ed lesion is so small I am trying to keep up hope that it will me a less radical procedure needed.

jag

Surgery scheduled Monday. Wide excision of lesion with mapping. All LN clear.

Best wishes for successful treatment. Please let us know.
Love from Helen

We feel very blessed that this was caught early and is considered a stage 1 lesion. I will let you know after his surgery Monday how everything goes Thanks to all for your suppport and workds of kindness