I would really like to hear Brian's imput on this question. John's Oncologist[also his surgeon] did a Radical Neck Dissection as part of the tumor removal. Didn't give John a choice. All the nodes that were removed were clean. The neck dissection part of the surgery was more irritating than painful, especially during radiation. It never ceases to amaze me about the different approaches that are out there. Amy P.S. I do agree with Gail that we have come a long way in treating some kinds of cancer.