Your experiences with sentinel node biopsy or neck dissection

Hi I've been following  your journey.

I'M 11 weeks post op for tonsil cancer. I had neck dissection  first then tumour removal week later. I had 47 lymph nodes removed all were clear. I went in on Tuesday,  drains out next day and home on Thursday. Scar has healed amazingly you can hardly see it. It goes from behind ear to middle of throat,  it's done in natural crease. Had no issues at all with pain etc just slight earache for while which I was warned about. Massage Aveeno moisturiser into it every day. Have had slight issue with lymphodema but they show you how to massage neck to help.

Hope this helps. It's  hard when they give you the choice isn't  it. I had choice of radiotherapy  or surgery. I chose tors robotic surgery as it seemed less  evasive.

Good luck.

Lins

Hey there Lins! Thanks so much for starting this thread off with your experience.

That sounds like a pretty amazing result for a neck dissection - just two nights in hospital.

I'm not clear on lymphodema is - how does it feel for you/affect you?

It IS hard when they give you the choice. Even though it should technically feel empowering.

So, just so I'm clear - your neck dissection was carried out by tors robotic surgery?

Sorry I didn't  explain that well, no the tors robotic  surgery was to remove my tumour. It was the surgery I had after neck dissection. 

Lymphodema is fluid collecting because lymph nodes are a drainage system so when they remove them the fluid can't  go anywhere. You can massage it towards other nodes in your arm pits etc.

Hi

I had Neck Dissection and Bilateral Tonsillectomy  which revealed  my Tonsils were Clear but 1 Tiny node was malignant inside its capsule  so I  then had Mucosectomy roboticly and base of Tongue Cancer measuring 3 mm was found.

The Surgeons feIt  didnt need anymore Treatment  but the Oncologist  said that 6 Weeks Radiotherapy to my Tongue and both sides of  my Neck would  be  the Belt and Braces approach and Gold Standard because of how the Tongue  Drains. I  was in overnight with both ops . I  managed Radiotherapy without a Peg because I  didn't  need Chemotherapy,  I  had a Pet CT Scan 6 Weeks ago , 3Months post Treatment  and  everything Ok.  I was obviously  a  bit  more complicated  because  Initially  they couldn't  find the Primary. 

It is so difficult when you are given choices  but everybody at Specialist Hospital has been Excellent 

Ah, thanks for helping me understand, Lins. 

Okay, so lymphodema sounds like a temporary issue I'm guessing? Is it painful?

Hi there! Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Whoa... so you were only in hospital for one night after a neck dissection? How was your recovery time, etc? 

I'm  not finding it painful just bit uncomfortable sometimes but I think some people on here have had issues.

Hi

I have got Lymphoedema aswell, waiting to see a Specialist  Nurse , it all feels a bit baggy under my chin , You obviously had to have 2 ops aswell . My Tonsillectomy was more painful  than the Tongue Surgery after about 1 Week postop 

It's  difficult to  say as I had  first Op in Early September , then Second op end of October and then I started Radiotherapy straight after Christmas,  unfortunately I had terrible Burns from the Radiotherapy  but I  am now feeling  much better other than the side effects of Radiotherapy, I hope everything goes well for you . Are you having surgery on your Tongue or have you had that already , my very first biopsy was inconclusive. How did yours present  itself? 

I'm having surgery on my tongue... well, I want to, but am currently waiting for a date to present itself!

My tumour initially seemed to be an ulcer, until my dentist cast suspicion on it and referred me. How about yours?