I didn't get a neck dissection, I finished chemorad Dec12/11. I still have a residual hard node, feels like an almond sliver under my left jaw beside the carotid. I will get a scan in mid Feb/12. I will probably know then if they will do a post dissection of some sort.

However, I was wondering, are there many of you out there that just had the residual node left alone? Told it was scar tissue? etc?

Hi Roger,
Kris had a residual hard node left after he finished treatment too. 3 months post Tx he had a PET scan which showed residual activity in that node so the decision was made to have a level 11 - iv neck dissection. This was tricky according to the surgeon as the mass was wrapped around his Carotid artery. However , the good news was that the pathology showed no residual Ca cells. Some atypical cells only and necrotic tissue. Guess that's why a lot here aren't too keen on PET scans as they show up residual inflammation too - this was the case re Kris's residual node.
Have to say he has had no problems from the neck dissection. I did feel all along that it was just dead necrotic tissue but am happier that it was removed.
Wait and see what your PET shows and be guided by the decision of your tumour Board. Our RO did tell us that in 18 months no one would be getting a neck dissection post Tx as Chemo and rads will have done the job.
Try not too worry, You are not long out of Tx and believe that chemo/rads has done its job.
Take care,
Tammy

Hi yes - pet shows up any area of hyper activity in the body and cells get hyperactive for many reasons. I admid id be worried too sinc thats a common location for spread, but you could also be fighting something. Or healing. As long as your dr. Is aware go with his opinion but do push if it gets bigger. Hugs!

Hi Cheryl,
From what I understand, they don't do PETs as they are not covered in Ontario, they will be doing a contrast CT. Is that the same in Toronto?

I don't think it's an area of spread. It's the original spot of my lymph tumor, just difficult to palpate as it's sort of deep, and it definitely feels like a hard sliver. I see my RO next Friday.

I wish I didn't have the anxiety that the treatment was not 100% effective.
Roger

I am going through the same thing Roger. Follow up PET shows a hot spot in a lymph area. They are calling it "nonspecific" whatever THAT means. Will probably be looking at another biopsy. Other than that I try and give my fear and anxiety to God and take strength from him that this is just the way he is working for a healing in me. And then I am not so afraid anymore.

Yes they don't trust pets here! I've always had MRI or ct scans - less false positives. But cts do still show up inflammation, or infection. Waiting for results is a killer. Just to let you know despite drs saying otherwise you should be able to get your results within 2 days. The hard thing is not having had surgery... Because you wonder - is it all gone but realistically - even if you've had surgery and or chemo and rads... No one knows for sure ! Hoping your clear! Try not to worry but do push your drs for answers!

Gonna beat the dead horse here...never rely on a PET for a diagnosis. Only a biopsy can tell for certain if a spot that lights up is cancer.

After a biopsy of a neck mass led to an erroneously diagnosed case of oral cancer, J had bilateral lymph nodes lighting up on his PET. The RO and ENT didn't order a biopsy of those nodes (despite a second surgery being scheduled for a diagnostic tonsillectomy.) The nodes were from a residual infection. Staging and treatment were based on the false positive PET CT scan. Lots of unnecessary carnage followed. Lesson learned...actually, many of 'em.