Radical neck dissection?

meaganb
meaganb Member Posts: 244 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
So I saw a post about swelling post surgery and that got me thinking, what is the actual definition of a radical neck dissection? Is it determined by how much tissue they remove or the number of lymph nodes? I had 47 lymph nodes removed from the right side of my neck back at the end of March along with the tumor from my salivary gland. I've been done with rads for 6 weeks. I certainly don't have severe swelling but do notice that I do have some swelling, usually in the mornings. I asked my ENT if I should expect prolonged swelling bit he said probably not, but I'm just curious what others experiences have been?

Comments

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #2
    curious too
    Hi Meagan,

    Good question, I wondered the same. I only had one (malfunctioning) lymph node removed and the ENT called it Jugular Vein dissection and I read in the Super Thread about lateral neck dissection that sounded a lot like mine. The lymph node had become attached to my Jugular Vein. I really did not ask enough questions during the hay day of my treatments (I am asking now, better late than never).

    So, I don’t know if it is a number (lymph nodes) removed or just the methodology of the surgery to remove them that identifies the surgery as “radical neck dissection”. I will stay tuned for answers to your question.

    Best,

    Matt
  • KTeacher
    KTeacher Member Posts: 1,103 Member
    #3
    Radical dude!
    I thought radical had to do with having both sides disected, I will look into it.
  • KTeacher
    KTeacher Member Posts: 1,103 Member
    #4
    KTeacher said:

    Radical dude!
    I thought radical had to do with having both sides disected, I will look into it.

    utmb.edu
    All lymph nodes in Levels I-V including spinal accessory nerve (SAN), SCM and IJV.

    Probably doesn't help!
  • meaganb
    meaganb Member Posts: 244 Member
    #5
    KTeacher said:

    utmb.edu
    All lymph nodes in Levels I-V including spinal accessory nerve (SAN), SCM and IJV.

    Probably doesn't help!

    I need medical info for
    I need medical info for dummies...
  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    #6
    Radical neck resection
    Meagan,
    Hey I don't know if this will help and maybe terminology varies on the clinics you go to...shouldn't though. I had a neck resect, (both sides....told me he could of cut straight across ear to ear or make two large incisions) and my ENT deemed this a radical resect, due to having to remove the 6 lymphs and tumor/large saliva gland. The nodes they took were deep ones, up under both mastoids...ect. Ask at your next ENT, or onc. appointment. I always say the only dumb question is the one not asked ! Warmest regards, Katie
  • meaganb
    meaganb Member Posts: 244 Member
    #7
    katenorwood said:

    Radical neck resection
    Meagan,
    Hey I don't know if this will help and maybe terminology varies on the clinics you go to...shouldn't though. I had a neck resect, (both sides....told me he could of cut straight across ear to ear or make two large incisions) and my ENT deemed this a radical resect, due to having to remove the 6 lymphs and tumor/large saliva gland. The nodes they took were deep ones, up under both mastoids...ect. Ask at your next ENT, or onc. appointment. I always say the only dumb question is the one not asked ! Warmest regards, Katie

    Yeah... I'm going to put
    Yeah... I'm going to put this bluntly and hope I don't offend anyone but my ENT is an ****. He is the best surgeon around though. I think he did an amazing job with my surgery but his bedside manner is "lacking". So anytime I ask him a question he treats me like I'm an idiot. I have a couple friends who are nurses and one that's a radiologist and they all say he treats everyone that way so I don't feel quite as bad but honestly I'll be glad when he retires so I can see someone else. Hence why a lot of my questions don't get answered....

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