I had both surgery and radiation treatment 12 years ago for my oral cancer. I just found out that the carotid on the side where I had the surgery and radiation is nearly completely closed from plaque. The other carotid is 65% closed. I am wondering if there is a correlation for the advanced stage of closure due to the treatments on that side of my neck for the cancer. I am so grateful to be still free of cancer. I had quit chewing tobacco a year before the cancer was found and have not chewed since. Perhaps someone out there has had some knowledge of the carotid problem I am having now. All of my lymph nodes in my head were removed and I had 6 weeks of radiation. I am now 52. I have a family history of high cholesterol and have been on Crestor for 10 years now. My main question is about any correlation between the treatment and the advanced build up of plaque in that artery. It makes sense to me that it could happen but I'm not a doctor.