Don, from my readings, it's unclear, but some reports mentioned it being a negative prognostic factor.

I remember in 2011 I was scheduled for a modified radical neck dissection, but surgeon had to do a radical one due to the prior radiation, twisting of nerves, etc. so proceeded during surgery to remover the neck muscle, vein, nerve, besides the nodes from levels ll-V. You know cancer was found in my neck muscle on pathology. A little unrelated, but darn cancer travels. I had no ECE to my lymph nodes.

Here is an article I found for both our reading. Didn't read it yet. I think it's from 2011.

http://www.nature.com/modpathol/journal/v24/n11/full/modpathol2011105a.html

10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil
11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp
01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks
06/11 30 HBO
08/11 RND PNI
06/12 SND PNI LVI
08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy
10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux
10/13 SND
10/13 TBO/Angiograph
10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI
12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo
11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO
03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN
09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy
04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site
06/17 Heart Attack Stent
02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs