I had a CAT scan and an MRI before my surgery and both showed no evidence of cancer in my neck. I had the disection and they found one lymphnode with microscopic cancer. In your position I would not want to take the chance that I would be one of the 3 out of 10 that had remaining cancer after the treatment. No one WANTS to have a neck disection but they are not difficult to get through. I would imagine it would also give great piece of mind.
Good luck with your decision.
Minnie


SCC Left Mandible. Jaw replaced with bone from leg. Neck disection, 37 radiation treatments. Recurrence 8-28-07, stage 2, tongue. One third of tongue removed 10-4-07. 5-23-08 chemo started for tumor behind swallowing passage, Our good friend and much loved OCF member Minnie has been lost to the disease (RIP 10-29-08). We will all miss her greatly.