Caesar Has Mast Cell Tumors

[Caesars mum]

Caesar has been diagnosed with 2 MCT, I have read a number of thread on hear including Oliie's which give me hope of good prognosis. (please excuse spelling).

my biggest issue is that one of them in on his prepuce (penil sheaf) and take large margines will mean reconstructive surgery the other is in his scrotal sack which is easy to get good margines as ther is lots of skin available, he has been desexed at 2 years old. He also had an ulcer on his eye which we are trying to mange without surgery, but if it is not healed or healing by next saturday will organise the oncologist appointment and have oncologist do both operations if it is healed we will organise the oncologist appointment but without the same urgency.

I have attached photos, so you can see what they will be dealing with. would you put your dog through a surgery that is going to be so painful and difficult.

I have always had the feeling that surgery on cancer tumors can just upset them and make them spread or become aggressive, but left alone they may not cause any problems for years.

Caesar is 7 years old and enjoys life, be it a romp in the yard with Nala or running around at the beach or curling up on my bed of a night. I love my boy dearly but I'm also not willing to let my family including dog suffer if I go into huge debt to gain a year of his love or mine for him.

I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place ATM as I love him and want to do the best for him.

any advice please, what would you do, none of the other threads have discussed the costs involved and I think this is what has me the most scared as death does not frighten me, be it me or one of my dogs as I know we will meet again in a better place where pain and cancer do not visit.

thanks for any advice

[stormie]

Sorry to hear of the diagnosis. My advice would be to have both lumps removed and atleast one sent away to pathology to find out exactly what grade/classification they are. Once you know that, you will have a better idea of what you're dealing with. It may be that they are low grade and that complete excision may be a cure.

As for cost, well, I guess that can vary. You mention an oncologist as doing the surgery, which means more than likely, the cost will be significant higher than just your regular vet doing the operation.

If it was me, yep, I would do the surgery, but I have have my normal vet do it rather than a specialist.

[Caesars mum]

thanks stormie, normally I would have my vet do the procedure too but as they will have to reconstruct the end of his sheath they want a specialist to do it, as they are not willing to.

they are not my normal vet they went to, but Frank (my vet) was being hammered after the xmas break and I couldn't get in to see him. He is getting on but very good I'm going to have a chat with him see if he would do it but I think he would also refer on as they will have to take of the entire end.

[puggy_puggy]

Yes I would opt for surgery. MCT have good outcomes if a clear margin can be gained.

[Rappie]

In some of these cases it's possible to take a surgical biospy without removing the lump and send that for histopathology to grade the tumour. Then we have a better idea of how to approach the surgery itself. Mast cell tumours in the perineal area do unfortunately have different prognoses than those in other areas of the body, I think that having an oncologist involved is a good idea.

Edited January 9, 2010 by Rappie

[Caesars mum]

In some of these cases it's possible to take a surgical biospy without removing the lump and send that for histopathology to grade the tumour. Then we have a better idea of how to approach the surgery itself. Mast cell tumours in the perineal area do unfortunately have different prognoses than those in other areas of the body, I think that having an oncologist involved is a good idea.

Thanks Rappie, Caesar is a bit of a contrdiction for prognosis as boxers usually have better prognosis, but ingential area MCT have a bad prognosis so we will have to wait and see the histopathology results. still debating going with my vet doing a less invasive surgey without large margins and see the results and then try some alternative threapies.

[Kelly_Louise]

I don't have any advice - just wanted to wish you all the best with whatever decision you make. I hope Caesar battles through and conquers this.

[ari.g]

Fingers crossed for Caesar what ever you decide to do! Big hugs for him

[Caesars mum]

thanks for the support, he is getting lots of hugs atm.

have an appointment with my usual vet friday night, we are looking at going with small surgery margines and chinese herbal medicine if all goes to plan.

I would prefer he didn't have to suffer through reconstructive surgery of his prepuce if we can help it and we want him to have quality of life and not be put through hell. He is fit and strong so hope to give him a good time for as long as possible.

so all goes well for him.