Is there a rule of thumb regarding timing of a neck dissection? My mom is about seven weeks post chemoradiotherapy and her doc recommended a neck dissection as a preventative measure. Initially they told me it should be done within four to six weeks of therapy, but they keep rescheduling her to accommodate other surgeries. I certainly understand the need to operate on those with more aggressive problems, but I don't want to put my mom's health in jeopardy either. Thanks.
D
Mom's caregvr. DDS failed to dx 01/03. Dx Stg IV SCC 05/03. Induct. chemo, IMRT, 5FU, H, Iressa, Neck disect, radiation. Dad's caregvr. Dx 01/04 Ext. Stg SCLC. Mets to liver/bone 08/04. Died 11/12/04. Mom tongue CA dx 06/13, hemiglossectomy (80% removed) 08/13. Clean margins and nodes, but PNI. 6/15/15: Tongue CA at base of remnant tongue. Declined further tx; hospice.
Died 10/13/15. What a long and difficult journey.
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