Should I or shouldn't I?

AlDeb

In regard to my message entitled Neck Dissection, is there anyone that has had this situation and chose not to have the dissection? I'm wondering if there's any alternatives. This dissection stuff is pretty extreme.

LisaAB

Hi my Dad is also try to decide whether or not to do the neck dissection. He's going to have a PET and see what it says. In Canada they don't recognize PETS so it will be up to him. They want to do both sides of the neck.

What did you do?

Thanks
Lisa

sheryl113

I had a modified neck dissection in March of 2006, I was terrified but still had the tumor in there after radiation and chemo. I was in surgery for 7 and a half hours. The pain when I woke up wasn't as bad as I imagined it would be. Everything that they took out was clean or dead cancer cells. I was extremely happy until it returned this August. The surgeon wants to do a laryngectomy but I have opted for radiation and chemo again. Will start soon. The neck dissection wasn't as bad as the effects of the radiation and chemo. I was released from the hospital two days after.

LisaAB

sheryl113 said:

I had a modified neck dissection in March of 2006, I was terrified but still had the tumor in there after radiation and chemo. I was in surgery for 7 and a half hours. The pain when I woke up wasn't as bad as I imagined it would be. Everything that they took out was clean or dead cancer cells. I was extremely happy until it returned this August. The surgeon wants to do a laryngectomy but I have opted for radiation and chemo again. Will start soon. The neck dissection wasn't as bad as the effects of the radiation and chemo. I was released from the hospital two days after.

What scans did you have prior to the ND to determine you needed the surgery? What did they remove? muscle? many nodes? Any info would be great; thanks.

Has your new treatment started? I wish you all the best; stay positive!