My husband had SCC base of tongue and possibly 1 lymph node involved when he was initially diagnosed in Sept '05. He was treated in Canada with radiation & chemo (Cisplatin (sp) & the docs said they were going to 'hit him hard' in terms of the treatment because of his age (57) & he was in very good physical shape. We sought a 2nd opinion at Johns Hopkins in Balitmore & they agreed with the Cdn docs treatment plan. After finishing treatment end Nov in Cda, we went to MD Anderson in Houston for a checkup end of Jan. One lymph node was still a bit bigger, altho blood flow through the node was good (apparently the flow would not have been good if it were cancersous). Because he was still healing,the radiologist said to come back to get it re-checked in 6 months. We did so in July & lymph node was slightly bigger. According to CT scan, surgeon said he thought it was scar tissue, but agreed we could opt for an ultra sound guided needle aspiration, followed by a biopsy. He made it clear he didn't think it was necessary. We insisted anyway & Radiologist then used ultarsound to determine that node was no longer bigger, blood flow was good & therefore this was not the way a cancerous node acts, according to her. (She only treats head & neck cancer patients).She would therefore not do the needle biopsy. She added that even if she had a 2 to 5% doubt, she would have done it. We were very relieved & this kind of experience & followup is why we are spending alot of $$ to go to MD Anderson for check-ups. We are gettting very little follow-up care in Cda due to our over taxed, under resourced health care system. Do not hesitate to have a neddle biopsy. Do not necessarily listen only to your surgeon's/ENT's opinion either. Be aggressive. I'm not aware of any other way of checking the lymph nodes. Hope this helps.