Radical neck dissection

Bev said:

It's me and his wife that sick with worry 

Carers are so often left behind along the road. In many places there is little support. Can I suggest that you give The Swallows Charity a ring. They have a dedicated phone line that is manned 24 hours a day. It's a charity run by Chris (survivor) and Sharon (wife) Curtis. They have a really strong carers section. You can talk to somebody who really does know how you feel. Check out their website. There may even be a meeting local to you, but even if there isn't a friendly chat  is so helpful

SWALLOWS

The neck dissection seems to be standard practice in these cases, even when no spread is expected. No spread had shown on my scans and the neck dissection confirmed no spread. 

Mine was a selective neck dissection (levels 1-3 and some from 4) on a similar diagnosis. Radical, as I understand it, means the removal of more nodes (I think there are 5 or 6 levels in the neck) and some related areas (muscle or vein). Modified radical preserves some areas. It might be worth clarifying what your son can expect from his surgery if radical has been suggested. 

That is a bit more than just a neck dissection.  I suspect he will barely notice it and it does sound like a precautionary measure where the histopathology post surgery will fully confirm that there is no spread.

Ad Dani says it is the carers and loved ones who actually suffer the worst in this whole process.  You are along for the ride.  At least your son has a measure of control over what is happening to him. You just need to be there to pick up the pieces and support in whatever way he needs.  I was, and continue to be, very calm.  My wife was the total opposite.

• Beesuit thankyou so much for this information I will take a look and get in touch many thanks 

Lovely to hear from you cathy loveflowers. I know when you commented last time yours hadn't spread and the neck dissection was fine. That's why I was a little confused if the surgeon thinks it hasn't spread why so many lymph nodes being removed with possible risk. I am going to get it clarified.

Bev said:

if the surgeon thinks it hasn't spread why so many lymph nodes being removed with possible risk.

Because you can't tell what nodes are affected till you biopsy them. You are dealing with lymph nodes only a few  mm in size so the surgeon can't just pick out the ones he thinks might be involved. For a surgical oncologist there is a well known pattern of likely spread which is what guides him in which levels of nodes to remove. Then all the removed tissue will be examined by a histopathologist

There is a protocol based on much data.

There are instances here on the forum where cancer has been found in nodes where it wasn't suspected. 

Hi peter I've just spoke with his nurse shes going to speak with the surgeon and confirm she seems to think because of his age there hoping to totally remove all the cancer and by attacking and removing all the nodes hopefully they'll be no chance of it coming back

Hi beesuit no the consultant said it's very unusual for someone of his age to have this. 

Thanks Bev...I deleted my post because I realised it might upset you even further. My apologies.

Hazel and I run a Whats App support group and we are seeing younger and younger cases. There is something going on in our lives. No idea what's doing it. 

Hang on in there Bev. It sounds like your son is in excellent hands.

Aww beesuit thankyou for your kind wordsno need for apologise thankyou for your input and great advice. Hes penciled in for 1st March for surgery