Hi Virginia,
Just want to share with you my own experience. I had concurrent chemo and radiation treatment for my T2N3M0 tonsil cancer. Surgery was originally planned after the treatment but in the follow up tests, about 6 weeks post treatment, cancer cells were not detected in both the tonsil and the neck lymph nodes. And so I did not undergo any surgery. I remember that my neck was still swollen and I also wondered if the tumor was still active. My oncologist assured me that it was just dead tissue and said that the area would be under very close observation. The swollen part gradually disappeared and I look 100% the same as before. I have been in remission for almost 4 years already. I understand your concern and please bear in mind that every case is unique but it is always good to know more.

Karen