 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 | A few thoughts for you:
In My Humble Opinion, some docs want to do this to "see" if they should be more concerned. In other words, if the nodes all come back negitive, then less to be concerned about.
IMHO, Some doctors lean towards this option because it is the "old standard" and may just offer some percentage of better longterm results.
also IMHO, This surgery, if the modified version, sparing the nerve and sternocleidomastoid muscle, is not as bad as it sounds.
Lastly, getting a second (or third) professional (as opposed to humble) opinion is a good idea.
Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.
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