Hi Eric, not everyone here had neck dissection and I am one of those without one despite the enormous tumors on my left neck. I received radiation to both sides of my neck although only one side was invaded with cancer cells. After the treatment, I did ask my oncologist if neck surgery was necessary to give complete eradication of the evil. He said it wasn't necessary.I understand your concern because up to this moment, I still have this question in my mind: if I had neck dissection, would my chance of cancer recurrence be relatively smaller?

Karen stage 4 tonsil cancer diagnosed in 9/01.