Hi everyone,

I was 3 years out of treatment at the end of July and saw my doctor on August 3rd for 4-month check-up and everything was fine. We did not do scans at that time since I had them done in January '07. He said we would do them in 4 months. However, about 2 weeks after I saw him, I noticed a small swelling just above my collarbone. I did not wait and called him. I saw him this past Tuesday and we did scans and a needle biopsy of the area. The area did not show on the CT scan, but the biopsy came back inconclusive with atypical cell dysplasia. The report called for further biopsy - my doctor is recommending a 2nd neck dissection to get the 3rd and 4th level nodes. Given my history, he doesn't seem to want to wait and do an excisional biopsy first. Has anyone ever had a 2nd neck dissection? My doctor did say I would have a little more trouble with shoulder movement after this surgery and would need physical therapy. I had minimal shoulder trouble after the first surgery and to be honest, the neck dissection surgery was the easiest part of treatment for me.
The doctor is being cautious and not yet calling this a recurrence but did say if there were any cancer cells, we would be following up with chemo 6-8 weeks postsurgery.
I just returned to college this fall after 25 years and am trying to decide if I will be able to stay in school and have this surgery. My nurse thinks this is very doable but I am starting to freak out somewhat. I had just started to let myself think I was going to be able to move forward - my youngest child is almost 16 and I want to finish my education and go into the dietetics field and work with head/neck patients.

Any comments or ideas about the second surgery and its effectiveness and/or asscociated risks would be appreciated. I've heard what my doc says, now I want to know from people's experiences.

Thanks,

Pam

Just wanted to add that the new area is on the same side as original so the neck dissection would be right side also just lower.

I know that it's an old cliche but "it ain't cancer until the pathology report says so". It could be a swollen lymph gland from an infection.
You are wise to get it checked out - I too have every anomaly checked out immediately (this from a person who NEVER went to doctors before unless I had to be carried in). Don't get ahead of yourself in the negative part of it.

It sounds more like a modified neck disection that they are propossing IF your biopsy comes back positive so your recovery time should be faster IF that is the case. I wish I could be more reassuring, but I can relate to your fear.

Statistically the odds of recurrence in year three are very low.

Just bringing this back to the top - would really like to hear from anyone if they have had a 2nd neck dissection. Just wondering if a 2nd surgery is common for a recurrence.

Thanks,

Pam

Hi Pam, sorry to hear about the possibility of a second neck dissection, but as Gary says, It's not a problem until the biopsy says so.

That being said, I do have a question, did you receive radiation to that area after the first dissection. Sometimes surgeons have a difficult time working with areas that received radiation.

I don't think you'll have that much problem depending on how much tissue the doctor takes. I haven't had a second dissection on the same side, but had dissections on both sides. Second surgery was neck dissection only, and other than being stiff because of the bandages, I didn't have much problems, actually went into the office for a while the day I was released from the hospital.

I would guess there would be some increased numbness in the area, and probably reduced range of motion with that particular arm and shoulder. I would think you would miss about 2 weeks of classes, one week because of surgery and Maybe but not for sure, the second week afterward if there's any other pain from the surgery.

Again every person and every surgery is different, so there may be different outcomes, you may fare better or may have more problems depending on surgeon and how much tissue he takes.

Bob

Bob,

Thanks for your response - I tolerated the first neck dissection well and I received radiation before the surgery. The 2nd surgery is scheduled for Tuesday Sept 18, my nurse said I would probably go home the next day (no complications) I was hoping to be able to return to classes the next Monday (at least some of them)

Pam

Wow, they boot you out of the hospital fast around here... I had my surgeries in Hong Kong and they tend to keep you several days. Wanted to let the drains come out and make sure there's no infections etc. I suspect if I hadn't had drains to deal with then I'd have gotten out much quicker

Good Luck
Bob

Rob had a bilateral radical with drains and he was home after 36 hours.i was shocked but he was fine 53 staples and all

all the best
Liz