OP  Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 101 | Hi, I am writing from New Delhi, India.
Papa has been diagnosed with stage 2 oral tongue cancer. CT scan indicates POSSIBLE involvement of the lymph nodes and a MRI and PET scan are being done.
My question: is it normal for the surgeon to remove all or part of the lymph nodes as a precaution?
Does anyone have any statistical info on recurrence?
FInally what is your opinion on how lymph nodes should be handled if no involvement is present? One ENT we saw said to remove ALL the lymph nodes regardless as a precaution, while another said he does a "selective clearance" followed by detailed pathology.
FIL completed treatment 10/08. CG to father in Law in india who had SCC oral tongue T2N2M0. FIL underwent surgery, neck dissection, IMRT, and erbitux without losing weight or getting nauseated. Completed October 2008. SO far so good.
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