Our cat has Cancer, now what?
Discussion
As per the title.
A lump was discovered a few weeks ago (now marble size) which today has been confirmed as Cancerous. The lump and surrounding tissue is being removed tomorrow. Sarah is distraught.
A little on the cat. 7-8 years old, no exact age as she is a Greek street rescue. No other signs of anything wrong. The lump is on he belly, near her front leg pit.
What are the odds of the op successfully ridding her of the wretched Cancer? How will we know if it has done so? What other routes may we need to take if not a success? Is there anything we can do to help her along/ help the odds?
If anyone can help it will be much appreciated, as we're not well educated around the matter.
A lump was discovered a few weeks ago (now marble size) which today has been confirmed as Cancerous. The lump and surrounding tissue is being removed tomorrow. Sarah is distraught.
A little on the cat. 7-8 years old, no exact age as she is a Greek street rescue. No other signs of anything wrong. The lump is on he belly, near her front leg pit.
What are the odds of the op successfully ridding her of the wretched Cancer? How will we know if it has done so? What other routes may we need to take if not a success? Is there anything we can do to help her along/ help the odds?
If anyone can help it will be much appreciated, as we're not well educated around the matter.
Hi,
It entirely depends on what type of tumour it is. Some are benign and some are more invasive/malignant. Taking good margins when excising is good practice but this depends on where the tumour is and how much skin is available to suture it back together.
Once the tumour has been looked at at the lab, your vet will be able to give you a prognosis and the plan to go forward with, eg chemo etc
Don’t panic and I hope all goes well. Message me if you need any advice etc.
It entirely depends on what type of tumour it is. Some are benign and some are more invasive/malignant. Taking good margins when excising is good practice but this depends on where the tumour is and how much skin is available to suture it back together.
Once the tumour has been looked at at the lab, your vet will be able to give you a prognosis and the plan to go forward with, eg chemo etc
Don’t panic and I hope all goes well. Message me if you need any advice etc.
Thank you both. S is now Googling the tea! So, after they remove it, is what you're saying that they send it off for testing? It was tested by injecting in to it last Friday. It's so unfair, I've honestly never met a cat with a lovelier temperament.
Edit to add, it's been confirmed as malignant already.
Edit to add, it's been confirmed as malignant already.
Do you know exactly what the tumour is? It sounds like they did a fine needle aspirate.It gives you a diagnosis but doesn’t necessarily mean it has ‘spread’. If you send it off to then lab after removal they can get a 100% diagnosis and a better prognosis. After the surgery you can stage tumours by taking aspirates of local lymph nodes. It depends on how far you want to go with it. If it has spread then chemo could be an option. At referral centres some do radiotherapy but it is expensive and needs lots of separate anaesthetics.
Mr Tom said:
Do you know exactly what the tumour is? It sounds like they did a fine needle aspirate.It gives you a diagnosis but doesn’t necessarily mean it has ‘spread’. If you send it off to then lab after removal they can get a 100% diagnosis and a better prognosis. After the surgery you can stage tumours by taking aspirates of local lymph nodes. It depends on how far you want to go with it. If it has spread then chemo could be an option. At referral centres some do radiotherapy but it is expensive and needs lots of separate anaesthetics.
We'll go as far as needs be for this girl. We'd sell the car to fund it if needs be. It may have been bought up with S and the vet, but I don't know the type it is. Out of interest Tom, what is your background, are you a vet? Fermit and Sexy Sarah said:
We'll go as far as needs be for this girl. We'd sell the car to fund it if needs be. It may have been bought up with S and the vet, but I don't know the type it is. Out of interest Tom, what is your background, are you a vet?
His profile says he is, and I think he has confirmed this in other posts.I'm really sorry to hear this news. As has been suggested, much depends on the type of cancer and whether it's already spread. I've had experience of various cancers with my dogs, and those belonging to my parents and brother. I used to be of the opinion 'throw everything at it' but I think I would be a bit more reticent now, unless it was a young dog, with a good prognosis. Ultimately, though, everyone must make their own decisions, once they have all the facts.
Good luck, I'll be thinking of you all.
Fermit and Sexy Sarah said:
We'll go as far as needs be for this girl. We'd sell the car to fund it if needs be. It may have been bought up with S and the vet, but I don't know the type it is. Out of interest Tom, what is your background, are you a vet?
Hi, yes I am a vet. I’m based in the NW and I am in general practice. I hope it all goes well. If you are willing to then there is always the referral option to an oncology (cancer) specialist. Higher prices etc but a vast knowledge on cancer and will know the most up to date treatments. That’s not to say your vets aren’t up to it, I have treated plenty of cats with cancer, it’s just good to know it’s there if it’s something you would want to do. Tom
They should be able to give you some more idea of the prognosis after removing it.
Macavity had an iris melanoma. When they removed his eye and examined it in the lab they said there was some risk of metastasis. Sadly, so it was, he seemed fine but a year or so later went rapidly downhill and it was found to have spread. Fingers crossed, though, you may have got it early enough and it may not be aggressive.
Macavity had an iris melanoma. When they removed his eye and examined it in the lab they said there was some risk of metastasis. Sadly, so it was, he seemed fine but a year or so later went rapidly downhill and it was found to have spread. Fingers crossed, though, you may have got it early enough and it may not be aggressive.
She's OK. She's relaxed now, but was very out of it, and a bit wired from the drugs when we got her home. She was in a bad mood too, she nearly killed one of the dogs when he approached her!
Back at the vets on Saturday, for a quick check, and the lump should be back early next week after being analysed.
Back at the vets on Saturday, for a quick check, and the lump should be back early next week after being analysed.
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