My husband has stage 4 cancer. When the surgery was over I was told that they got clear margins. However, during his radiation and chemo another positive node popped up in his neck and had to be removed. Prior to the 2nd surgery they redirected the rads to the new node and decreased it significantly. I understand once 2 or 3 nodes are invilved the stage changes. Good Luck to your friend.
Sue

cg to husband, 48 Stage 1V head and neck SCC. First surgery 9/07. Radiation and several rounds of chemo followed. Mets to chest and lungs. "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain." Went home to God on February 22, 2009.