The tumour is shrinking at last

This fantastic news came through by email yesterday from one of Max’s consultants. She said:

“This is a report, yet to be authorised, of the MRI. There seems to have been a slight reduction in tumor bulk which is very good news! I imagine that Hamid [Daya – ENT Surgeon] will forward these results to Peppy Brock [Max’s Oncologist at GOS] when he returns from leave. This report would support Hamid’s observations during MLB.”

She attached the report:

“MRI Report

Scans were performed under general anaesthesia, multiple sequences were acquired, intravenous contrast was given and scans were compared with
the previous scans dated 6.7.04.

At the level of the submandibular glands, there has been some reduction in the tumour bulk encircling the airway, particularly at the site of the greatest tumour thickness in the left submandibular gland. There is also slightly less tumour volume encircling the trachea just cranial to the tracheostomy site. The left internal jugular vein remains occluded. No progressive mass lesion demonstrated at other sites.

INTERPRETATION:

Mild decrease in size and tumour bulk as described.”

However, they should have compared the recent scan with the last one taken which was the 5th July 2005 (not 2004!). What this change will mean we are not sure yet, however as the tumour has been growing with him between July 04 and July 05, we suspect that this means that the shrinking is either as described above or maybe even slightly more significant. We will let you know as soon as we hear amended results.

I am in the middle of writing an update with lots of pictures. I’ll complete it as soon as possible!