Tonsil SCC with bilateral neck dissection recommendation
Hello everyone. I was recently diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsil. My CT scan did not show distant spread, which gave me some relief, but both ENT surgeons strongly recommend surgery with bilateral neck dissection because the left lymph node is already involved and they want to prevent spread to the other side.
I was already terrified thinking about surgery on one side of my neck, and hearing that they want to operate on both sides devastated me. I have a very thin neck/body type, and I keep worrying about complications, appearance, recovery, swallowing, nerve damage, and whether my quality of life will change permanently. I will probably have additional therapy after surgery (chemo, etc.).
I asked if only therapy would be enough, and they told me the chances of completely removing the cancer are smaller in that case.
Both doctors seem competent, one more experienced, the other more detailed in explanations, and I’m struggling with deciding who to trust.
If anyone here had tonsil SCC, bilateral neck dissection, or similar surgery, I would really appreciate hearing your experience.
In case it matters, I live in Greece.
Thank you.