Neck Dissection Surgery for Throat Cancer Treatment (MRND, RND)

Throat cancer often results in spread to the neck resulting in the appearance of an enlarging neck mass. Normally, lymph nodes in the neck filter substances that travel through the lymphatic fluid, and help the body fight infection and disease. They are connected to one another by lymph vessels and are abundantly found, especially around the blood vessels under the sternocleidomastoid muscle. However, its very ability to filter disease is why cancer may present as an enlarging neck mass as it becomes infiltrated by cancerous cells. Depending on the exact situation, the cancer may be primarily treated with radiation with or without chemotherapy. Surgical excision may also be performed either as the primary course of treatment or as salvage after radiation and chemotherapy if residual cancer is felt to be present. When surgery is pursued, the goal is removal of not only the cancerous enlarged lymph node, but all surrounding lymph nodes as well to eliminate any possible surrounding microscopic spread that would otherwise be missed. This procedure is known as a "neck dissection." The radical neck dissection refers to the removal of all neck lymph nodes along with the non-lymphatic structure: sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM), internal jugular vein ( IJV), and accessory nerve (CN XI). The modified radical neck dissection also removes all lymph nodes, but spares at least one non-lymphatic structure (SCM, IJV, or CN XI). More info on neck masses: https://www.FauquierENT.net/neckmass.htm For testing to evaluate a neck mass:    • Neck Mass Workup in Adults - What Are the ...   How a throat biopsy is performed:    • How a Throat Biopsy is Performed to Check ...   Video produced by Dr. Chris Chang: https://www.FauquierENT.net Still haven’t subscribed to Fauquier ENT on YouTube? ►► https://bit.ly/35SazwA #neckmass #neckdissection #mrnd