Dear Eileen, I can only guess that my surgeon did her very best. I owe her my life. I can ask her but she obviously didn't feel it was necesary at the time. She feels that Radiation will mop up the situation. I have found some writings about early Laryngectomies and about 50% died from recuurance. of course this was early on in the development of the procedure. So there is evidence to say that Radiation is the way. I just don't know if my first radiation covered the area. I think I would have known if it did. I'm sure the glands would have hurt worse than my throat. Thanks Tony