Steve - I want to second what was said above - don't stress yourself out if you can help it, although I know that's easier said than done. I have just gone through a similar experience. I had a partial glossectomy and selective neck dissection in May '06. When I want to MDACC in early Dec for 3 month F/U visit, my dr. found an enlarged lymph node on the same side as my surgery. He said he wasn't "overly concerned" but that if it didn't go away, my dr here in Atlanta should consider an Ultrasound and possible fine needle Bx. In the meantime right after Christmas I developed an ulcer on my tongue. I was SURE my cancer was back... couldn't sleep at night, already trying to plan how I was going to get through this. My dr here wasn't very encouraging either when she did the tongue bx - she said "I don't like the way it feels". Well, long story short both the tongue bx and the fine needle bx I had just last week came back FINE. Needless to say I was relieved.... So I guess I'm posting this for you so you know that it's not necessarily a recurrence, although I understand your concern. FYI, I also had an enlarged lymph node prior to my neck dissection which showed nothing when they took it out - who knows why lymph nodes sometimes enlarge, it could be an immune response to possibly some kind of virus or infection you don't even realize you have...


Ginny M. SCC of Left lateral tongue Dx 04/06,Surgery MDACC 05/11/06: Partial glossectomy with selective neck dissection. T1N0M0 - no radiation. Phase III clinical trial ("EPOC" trial)04/07 thru 04/08 because tests showed a 65% chance of recurrence. 10 Year Survivor!