There have been many rumors on McCain's left cheek (or the right side of his face when looking at him). But recent pictures may confirm a second story, McCain's disfiguration is a result of melanoma, or from swelling due to an absence of soft tissue on his face.
Here are some that have been floating around:
"He was disfigured in Vietnam. His plane crashed and caught on fire on the flight deck." Found that HERE. This rumor probably came from the injuries he received in vietnam in the 1967 USS Forrestal Fire. This seems patently false after seeing the picture of his release from Vietnam as shown today.
"According to Dr. Michael Hinni, senator McCain has a swelling of his left jaw due to "absence of soft tissue on the face in front of his ear (left)." Whether the swelling is related to past medical history of melanoma is unclear.
John McCain was diagnosed with melanoma (malignant skin cancer) on his cheek 5 years ago which he says has left his cheek puffy looking." I found this HERE. This now seems like the most likely.
Here is what his face looks like now:
New video of McCain's release debunks old rumors about how his face became disfigured in vietnam
