Hello and thanks for posting,

I can appreciate your thinking on this, as you recover from your recent surgery.

Lymph node dissections are sometimes done at the same time, as initial surgery is done, to remove tissue for pathology sampling. However, there are situations where it is necessary to remove lymph nodes to stage (assess the extent) the cancer, or in fact, form part of the actual treatment by removing them.

There is some information here,

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/head-neck-cancer/tonsil/treatment

So, it may be that they think that it is important to move on and remove these lymph nodes. 

I hope that you are soon able to talk this over with your hospital team and find out more.

Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Yours sincerely,

Vanda

Thank you

well I have been in for the neck dissection this morning and although there’s a drain in which is rather sore….and the formal confirmation of tonsil cancer….I can actually swallow better and mooch opens better which makes so much difference!

runingnrather warm sonsitting by the bed in my sarong….have a cold coffee for later, sounds like a holiday lol

Hello Tigernymph

I'm glad to hear the dissection went smoothly today although I am sorry to hear that you had a confirmed diagnosis of tonsil cancer. 

I wanted to post to let you know about this thread here on the forum where we have many members who have posted about their experiences with the same diagnosis. I'd also suggest having a look at some of the posts by RadioactiveRaz aka Hazel when you get a chance. She has been through diagnosis of and treatment for tonsil cancer and I know many members that have come along after her have found her posts and blog to be a really helpful source of information. 

I hope that things continue to heal well over the coming days. Keep in touch and let us know how you get on. 

Best wishes, 
Jenn
Cancer Chat moderator 

Thank you Jenn, that is really useful. I think I had seen something similar but finding the link again I can save it

Best wishe

Anna

Hi Anna  I’m Hazel aka RadioactiveRaz if u can help just ask I’m almost 5 years post treatment now for tonsil cancer with several affected lymph nodes I didn’t have a neck dissection as my lymph nodes were too close to spinal cord. Treatments hard but if I can do it anyone can. Best advice listen to your body if you’re having radiotherapy and chemo I’m happy to help. 
hugs Hazel 

thank Jen for heads up. 

Thank you so much Hazel- i will just be having Radiotherapy and am back with the consultant in 2 weeks to plan it and see what further information has come from tissue removed

Think  I had a read on here of a man’s journey of radiotherapy and tonsil cancer  but even better to have a chat and advice with a female

It was curious, after a cold that wouldn’t shift and one sided swollen tonsil, it wouldn’t go down for nearly two months so went and got it checked by the nurse and tests done. It started with just a jelly egg shaped cyst in February after mri and ct scan strongly implied cancer…my body showed nothing in bloods or inflammatory markers

After Mri scan they removed a tumour from tonsil for testing and still not sure….a week ago tonsil and extra tissue removed…and this morning as I went in to have the neck dissection, he confirmed cancer. The dissection was to remove the original cyst and 3 lymph nodes associated to the tonsil 

sonin 2 weeks we will have a plan…and meanwhile am sure I will have lots of questions! Meanwhile stay well and may you go clear many years more

Bright blessings 

tigernymph

Hi I’ve accepted your friend request so fire away. Am dog sitting and gardening this weekend but will reply as and when. My blog is www.RadioactiveRaz.wordpress.com it tells my experience. I had no symptoms what so ever. Apart from larrybthe lump or lymph node have you got your HPV status ? 
hugs H don’t be scared remember head and neck cancers respond very very well to treatment. 

That’s one thing I have never found the answer to (ie where did it come from?) so it’s one of the questions in the list for when Insee the consultant

Hi mine was HPV 16 positive. It’s the most common one now days fir tonsil cancer. At any one time at least 80% of the worlds population of the HPV virus. We don’t know we’ve got it and 99% of us get rid of it without even knowing we’ve had it.  had a very small percentage which includes me  didnf and lo and behold many years later they say it can be up to 40 years out. It popped into a vulnerable area which in my case was my tonsil. We’ve been married over 44 years and now joke saying we’ve passed it along like pass the parcel. I’ve lots for knowledge now on HPV the plus point us it responds well to treatment. So check with consultant the test will gsve bern fine ehrn yih had your biopsy. 
Hazel x

ps I don’t smoke or drink either haven’t drink much in last 20 years  by choice couldn’t cood with headaches. I now can’t tolerate drink due to radiation so soda water is my main ripple. I’ve just about managed a few wiis if hibby gin n tonic in last few weeks xx os I make lots of typos as I’m always rushing around. Lol. Keep asking questions though it’s a scary time n happy to help xx