 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 | John, the fine needle biopsy is perfectly accurate....but only if it is perfectly targeted. Cancer cells are small so if the cancer is also small, the chance of missing is pretty high. If it were me, I would be discussing the neck dissection at length with your doctor. With the node/s completely out, the pathologist will be able to make a much better determination. Of course if there are any cancer cells, you will probably hear about radiation (for good reason)
Take care
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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