 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | The way I understand about the lymph nodes is to imagine a long bead necklace. If cancer is in one bead it can travel to the next one and so on and so on. Ive been told its a rarity for the cancer to jump over a node and appear in the next one. To answer your question if cancer was found in one it wouldnt necessarily be found a few nodes later, it would be next to the first one, it goes right down the line. Theres around 300 nodes found in the neck area, so its doubtful the doc took them all. Ive frequently heard of over 10 nodes or even up to 20 - 30 nodes being taken. From my understanding, doctors will take many that come after the one they find cancer in to ensure they get it all in one shot.
Please let us know how you make out with the appointment. Best wishes!
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | 
