Neck dissection are classified by the zones from which the lymph nodes are removed, and whether or not the three structures described above are preserved. The consequences of their removal is discussed below. However, if the tumor invades into one or all of these structures, one or all of them will have to be removed. The sternocleidomastoid muscle is a large muscle in the neck.ĭuring a neck dissection the surgeon will try to save the structures. The spinal accessory nerve controls movement of some of the major shoulder muscles. The internal jugular vein is a major blood vessel through which blood returns from the head to the heart. These are the internal jugular vein, the spinal accessory nerve, and the sternocleidomastoid muscle. There are three other important structures in the neck that are closely involved in a neck dissection. OTHER STRUCTURES INVOLVED IN A NECK DISSECTION For example, if the primary site of tumor is the larynx (voicebox), a part or all of the larynx will be removed at the same time as the neck dissection. There are many important anatomical structures, such as nerves and blood vessels, that run through the neck, and these structures are carefully identified and preserved in the course of the operation. If the original (also called primary) tumor is going to be treated with surgery, this tumor resection is usually done at the same time as the neck dissection. Tumors lower in the neck, for example laryngeal cancer, tend to spread to lower zones (zones III or IV).Ī neck dissection is done through an incision in the neck. For example, tumors of the mouth tend to spread first to the upper neck zone ( e.g. Research has shown that tumors tend to follow certain trends in the manner in which the spread. The neck is typically divided into zones (zones I through VI are shown on this diagram). This image shows the various regions of the neck where the lymph nodes are located. If the microscopic examination by the pathologist shows extensive spread of cancer, additional treatment such as radiation therapy may be recommended. A neck dissection is useful not only to remove the cancer, but also so that the nodes can be examined by a pathologist. There approximately 600 lymph nodes in the body, and 200 of this are located in the neck. If there is concern that this type of spread may have occurred, a neck dissection can be done to remove the suspicious lymph nodes.
(Head and neck cancer is often described as throat cancer, but it can also include cancer of the mouth, the tongue, the thyroid gland, the saliva glands, etc.) Cancer in this region can spread through the lymphatic system to adjacent lymph nodes. The surgery is almost always done for individuals with certain types of head and neck cancer. The purpose of a neck dissection is to remove the lymph nodes in the neck. The purpose of this web page is to describe the reasons for this surgery, how it is done, and what to expect during and after the surgery. A neck dissection is an operation that is done for individuals with cancer of the head and neck.
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