A 75 year old man has left-sided earache and discomfort when he swallows. There is ulceration at the back of his tongue and he has a palpable non-tender cervical mass. What is the single most likely diagnosis?

The key is D. Oropharyngeal malignancy. [Pain ear and discomfort during swallowing, ulceration at the back of the tongue and palpable non tender cervical lymphnode is suggestive of oropharyngeal malignancy. Acute mastoiditis and tonsillitis will not cause tongue ulcer. Similarly dental abscess will not cause tongue ulcer. In herpes zoster pain and vesicle will be in the affected nerve distribution].