Nicki,

I have to second Eileen's point about the plastic surgery aspect of neck dissections. My surgical team did an extremely careful (and artful) job of stitching up the entire area, and I've gotten many comments from other doctors about how well concealed the scar is - even though it's almost 6 inches long.

Cathy

Tongue SCC (T2M0N0), poorly differentiated, diagnosed 3/89, partial glossectomy and neck dissection 4/89, radiation from early June to late August 1989