I definitely agree - better safe than sorry. The only thing that gives me pause are the lingering effects from a selected neck dissection. I want to be aggressive, but not unreasonably so.

Has anyone had levels I-IV taken out? What are the issues after the healing is over?

As for the needle biopsy - I read that the FNA only samples 1mm of tissue, whereas the lymph node itself 10x bigger than that. Perhaps taking it out completely would be better.

Tom

Brother of patient with posterior/lateral tongue SqCC:
Biopsy 4/2013 - High grade dysplasia
Excision 5/2013 - Microinvasive SqCC
Lymph node bx 11/2013 - Negative
pT1N0