Hello Eileen,
Yes they do think that this was caused by previous radiation treatments 9 yrs ago. I don't know what type it was then, he had daily single treatments for 7wks.

Before the surgery and radiation the tumor was wrapped completely around his larynx. He had been for a consult a year earlier but the Dr. blew him off because he had a pack of cigarettes in his shirt pocket. I was so angry because it had taken so long to convince him to see a Dr. The soreness came and went and one night he coughed up a lot of blood (sorry so graphic). Another ENT (an absolute angel) said surgery or only 6 to 8 months before he'd have real trouble swallowing and breathing. Complete neck disection ear to ear, and 30 some odd lymph nodes. At that time we weren't concerned with the details, just that he would survive the 7Hr surgery and make it through the radiation treatments.

This time around he said a sore spot that was sensitive to acid foods and carbonated drinks, and then further pain and difficulty swallowing, no voice change. The lesion was a 2 x 1 cm that was removed.

K.C. doesn't really swim he sits in water that comes up to his upper chest and he also wades standing out to chest deep water. We have a small pool that we cool off in here in FL that is 9ft dia. and 48" deep. He's been on the water his whole life, so he's just about fearless.

Stay well,
EBJ