Hello Tommy01 and thanks for posting, 

I am sorry to learn about what you were told yesterday and can appreciate it has come as quite a shock. 

I expect laboratory analysis of a sample of surgically removed lymph nodes is the best established way of assessing them with this sort of cancer. I think as needle biopsy can only take a sample, doing it this way could potentially miss some cancer cells, and I am not sure how easy it would be. Needle biopsies on lymph nodes are more often done when the nodes can be felt under the skin and aren't too deep in the body.

In general with a number of cancers, doctors want to assess lymph node along with the tumour as part of what is called 'staging' which is a way of classifying the extent of the disease. Staging helps doctors to predict the outlook and decide if more treatment aside from surgery is needed.   

Do try and talk things over again with your surgeon.  It is a lot to take in and only reasonable to want to be fully informed before you decide what to do. If you have been allocated a specialist nurse at the hospital try and get hold of them, if not leave a message with your surgeon's secretary (via switchboard)  and explain you need to have another chat. 

Give us a ring if you want to talk anything over, our number is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and we are here weekdays from 9-5.

Best wishes, 

Julia