If your surgeon is good he should know what to cut. Usually they are aided by a ct scan - I would not want to be a dr relying on potential clear margins based off a previous surgery - it's best to know what to cut. Some CCCs have a newer technology where they can see the cancer in real time. (While they're cutting) my dr. Pioneered this technique. Some still do it the old fashioned way based off a scan - and then cutting a larger area than shown on the scan. This definitely has it's draw backs. Ask your surgeon what he bases his surgery location on.

Did your mom have a neck dissection with her previous cancer? If she didn't I home they've schedule her for one as well.

Hugs


Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan