Hi Monica. I'm not a cancer survivor but my aunt (more like a sister) is. Her oral cancer had not spread to the lymph nodes but her surgeon told her this is nothing to play around with and recommended a neck dissection on the one side with the cancer. She did that and I'm very glad she did. I surely would not want to have seen her need more surgery after her radiation.

The worst side effects Teresa has had from the neck dissection is stiff muscles in her neck which she exercises daily. The rads were much worse than the ND.

Just wanted to provide you with a pro ND view.

Dodie

Last edited by penners; 11-08-2010 11:37 AM.
Aunt diag. 2/4/10 with SCC Stage I/II on left side of tongue. Surgery 2/19/10 part. gloss./neck diss. on left side/free flap from chest muscle. TI/II,NO,MO. Clear margins with perineural invasion. Started rads 4/8/10 - 35 treatments, finished 5/26/10.