Hi there!! I agree with Christine if you're not at a cancer center get a second opinion there (I could be wrong but I suspect you're not by the number of nodes removed - I rarely see less than 20) - sometimes if there is a little left hiding in a node somewhere and if its just a few cells it won't show up on a scan and despite possibly being a slow growing cancer (not sure if your wife's was well differentiated, moderate or poor) it can take off like wildfire if there's any left, and can be hard to catch at that point. I'm of the do what you can now ilk. My surgeon/ENT - who is tops in his field told me in hs opinion I was cured but recommended me for rads and chemo regardless. He also removed 40 nodes -- one was positive. Tell your wife to give herself the best chance possible - by doing all she can to fight it now. Good luck!