How many lymph nodes are in the neck

The cells are basically then stuck in the lymph node and they begin to grow in that location. The lymph node areas of the neck can be divided into three basic areas:. Thyroid cancer surgery must address the lymph node areas that are known to contain cancer as well as those that are at significant risk of having thyroid cancer. This type of the thyroid cancer surgery is termed comprehensive compartmental dissection.

Comprehensive does not mean destructive by any means. These lymph node surgeries remove lymph nodes and fatty tissue and spare all major nerves, blood vessels and muscles. They have essentially no cosmetic or functional impact other than a fine scar line. The removal of the lymph nodes of the central neck can be performed initially when the thyroid gland is removed in the treatment of the thyroid cancer or following the initial surgery in the less common circumstances when thyroid cancer recurs or persists.

The central compartment lymph node surgery spares all critical structures including the nerves to the voice box and all parathyroid glands not directly involved by cancer. Central compartment dissection extends from the carotid arteries on both sides of the neck, below to the blood vessels of the upper chest, and above to where the blood vessel of the upper portion of the thyroid gland begins off of the carotid artery called the superior thyroid artery.

Just the presence of enlarged lymph nodes does not mean thyroid cancer has spread and does not require additional surgery. A procedure called a modified radical neck dissection or anterolateral neck dissection or comprehensive neck dissection , in untreated patients, should only be performed in instances of ultrasound with fine needle aspiration confirmed thyroid cancer spread to lymph nodes on the side of the neck.

Become our Patient! Every year, thousands of patients travel from around the US and many foreign countries to have surgery at our Center in Tampa, Florida. We have done this so many times that we make it easy for you to make one trip to Tampa and get your evaluation and any necessary scans and biopsies and have your surgery in one trip. We communicate with your doctors back home, and will even find you an endocrinologists near you if you don't have one so that you don't need to travel back to Tampa for a postoperative visit.

We know there is a lot of information on the site and it can be hard to take it all in. If you have a question for our surgeons, or for our office, we would be happy to help. Let us know your question s and we will forward it to our surgeons or to our office, and get back to you as soon as we can.

Corona Virus Update: Saturday November 13, The consequences of their removal is discussed below. 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. If all the nodes are removed zones I through V and the three structures internal jugular vein, accessory nerve, and sternocleidomastoid muscle are removed it is called a radical neck dissection radical is a misleading term; it just means that a complete neck dissection has been done.

A radical neck dissection would be done if the tumor spread to the neck is quite extensive. If the nodes from zones I through V are removed and one of these three structures is preserved, it is called a modified radical neck dissection. And if the operation does not involve all five zones, it is called a selective neck dissection. The sternocleidomastoid muscle, the internal jugular vein, and the spinal accessory nerve have been removed. The surgeon has saved the vagus nerve which supplies the muscles in the throat and the larynx and the hypoglossal nerve which supplies the muscles that move the tongue.

Also preserved is the carotid artery, which is extremely important for providing oxygen to the brain. The strap muscles are strap-shaped muscles that help raise and lower structures in the neck. Note that skin "flaps" have been elevated, which allows very good exposure to all the structures in the neck. Exposure is very important in surgery. The important structures to be saved must first be identified, and exposure is key to finding and protecting these nerves and blood vessels.

Recovery time from a neck dissection alone is quite quick. If a patient has only had a neck dissection, the total hospital stay may only be several days. However, the surgery is also done along with resection of the primary tumor site, and this can take longer. Considering only the neck dissection, there usually will be drains placed under the skin at the time of surgery to collect any serous fluid or blood that accumulates at the operative site. These drains will be removed after a couple days.

Once they are out, and if the incision looks to be healing well, the patient can usually go home. It is not unusual to develop some numbness in the neck skin and ear after a neck dissection. Conclusions: The number of lymph nodes removed in selective neck dissection should be comparable to that of the corresponding levels in radical neck dissection, provided that strict adherence to surgical boundaries is maintained.

Dissection of normal cadavers provides a reference for the surgeon and the pathologist but may under-represent lymph node quantity in the diseased state. Abstract Objectives: Provide reference for surgeon and pathologist regarding expected yield from selective neck dissections. Seek immediate medical care if you're having difficulty swallowing or breathing.

Lymph nodes are small, round or bean-shaped clusters of cells. Inside lymph nodes are a combination of different types of immune system cells. These specialized cells filter your lymphatic fluid as it travels through your body and protect you by destroying invaders.

Lymph nodes are located in groups, and each group drains a specific area of your body. You may be more likely to notice swelling in certain areas, such as in the lymph nodes in your neck, under your chin, in your armpits and in your groin. The site of the swollen lymph nodes may help identify the underlying cause. The most common cause of swollen lymph nodes is an infection, particularly a viral infection, such as the common cold. Other possible causes of swollen lymph nodes include:.

Other possible but rare causes include certain medications, such as the anti-seizure medication phenytoin Dilantin and preventive medications for malaria. If infection is the cause of your swollen lymph nodes and isn't treated, an abscess may form. Abscesses are localized collections of pus caused by infections.

Pus contains fluid, white blood cells, dead tissue, and bacteria or other invaders. An abscess may require drainage and antibiotic treatment.