DSM,
We have patients occasionally who come in for esophageal strictures. I think the body's response to the stretching is very individualized. In other words, your husband may only need it this once, since you are so close in to the time of the radiation treatment, and it may hold him. Or, as the radiation scars heal, he may have to do it again later on. Either way, it is a procedure that is done daily by docs all over the country, and so it won't be hard to find someone who can help you out later down the road if you guys need it. And while NOTHING is risk free, it is something that I have seen extremely few complications from. They start off with a little tiny tube with a balloon on it, move up to a bigger balloon, and so on until they get the diameter they feel is optimum for the patient's anatomy and needs.
He may have to have another swallow study after the dilatation to see how effective the procedure was, but if he likes orange-flavored chalky drinks, that's alright.
Hope this is a one time shot for you guys and things keep getting better.

Andrea