Conversation: The conversation between human and AI assistant.
[|Human|] Hi, my name is Desiree and am based in South Africa. My husband William was diangosed with tonsillar cancer in Sept 2008. He was given 3 sessions of Cisplat chemo and 30 radical radiation tratments over a period of 6 weeks. Sevral follow ups of CT & MRI scans every 3 months showed nothing. He was then rediadnosed in Sept 2010. Placed on Taxol chemo for 6 sessions. At the 4th session, I noticed a lump developing under his ear and queried this. It was then established from CT scan on 13/1/2011 that he now has squamous cells infiltrating his mastoid bone and some bone erosion. Very shocking news however we prevail and he is now undergoing Cisplat & 5FU chemo. 1st cyce given 21-25/2. The tumour is growing ever larger than before and there is septic pcokets evident on tumour. Is there any hope for William? Will this chemo assist him again or is there any other offer of advice to us. Most grateful. Thank you
[|AI|]  Hi, Thanks for writing in. In a patient with squamous cell cancer spread to mastoid causing erosion, the treatment might include chemotherapy and radiation therapy. This provides disease stabilization and slows down the progress. The septic pockets might be controlled with antibiotics over a short course and then the chemotherapy and radiation therapy might be given. This cancer might not respond completely to the treatment given, but survival is extended by if they control the disease process and prevent complications like spread to the brain and skull which are structures closer to the mastoid where it has caused erosion. Please do not worry.