Alveolar ridge (or alveolar margin) - the area behind the teeth. Doesn't sound common, I mean, it's not in the league of breast, lung, prostate, so probably not so easy to find other survivors.
Your cancer specialist knows the best treatment, of course. I suppose given the location and 8 hours worth of surgery it means some physical changes are coming, sucks but beating it is all important.
Would you mind telling us what symptoms led you to get checked? The knowledge could be useful to readers.
