Hi
Would someone be able to help me? My auntie's cat has a cancer called spindle cell sarcoma. Does anyone here have any experience with that? Could you please give me some info on after-operation care and treatment, or point me to a thread (or bump it to the top) that could help?
Any help would be great.
spindle cell sarcoma - help?
Re: spindle cell sarcoma - help?
traci: i am not familiar with this type but its other names are :canine malignant fibroushystiocytoma, canine neurofibrosarcoma, and canine perineuroma.......any ideas----page 203 merck manual
Re: spindle cell sarcoma - help?
Davet, that would be page 703 
......and is more commonly known as hemangiopericytoma (or dermatofibrosarcoma)
Guest, first, we do not *bump* threads here, the board system is designed to allow new posts to be automatically placed at the top. ALL posts are read in this forum, I assure you (this is a note to other users as well).
Please provide more information on your aunt's kitty...
-Age
-When diagnosed
-Location of tumor
-Accompanying symptoms, if any
-Has a biopsy been performed yet?
-Has a full excision (removal) been done yet?
-Is there a feline oncologist or surgeon who is specialized in oncology, treating your aunt's kitty?
-What treatment options have been discussed, given thus far?
As for treatment, the most imperative is full, complete excision, this means that the widest margin possible needs to be done in order to prevent "beds" of cancer cells remaining. If it is impossible to completely excise (due to location of tumor), then as much removal as possible with accompanying radiotherapy is preferred. If a toe or limb is severely affected, amputation of the affected limb may be necessary. If the surgeon cannot make a full excision, then a second surgery combined with radiotherapy would probably be necessary.
If your vet is not a specialized oncologist, please seek a vet who is, immediately, and/or get a professional consult with a feline oncologist who can review kitty's case and recommend the best treatment options tailored to your kitty.
......and is more commonly known as hemangiopericytoma (or dermatofibrosarcoma)Guest, first, we do not *bump* threads here, the board system is designed to allow new posts to be automatically placed at the top. ALL posts are read in this forum, I assure you (this is a note to other users as well).
Please provide more information on your aunt's kitty...
-Age
-When diagnosed
-Location of tumor
-Accompanying symptoms, if any
-Has a biopsy been performed yet?
-Has a full excision (removal) been done yet?
-Is there a feline oncologist or surgeon who is specialized in oncology, treating your aunt's kitty?
-What treatment options have been discussed, given thus far?
As for treatment, the most imperative is full, complete excision, this means that the widest margin possible needs to be done in order to prevent "beds" of cancer cells remaining. If it is impossible to completely excise (due to location of tumor), then as much removal as possible with accompanying radiotherapy is preferred. If a toe or limb is severely affected, amputation of the affected limb may be necessary. If the surgeon cannot make a full excision, then a second surgery combined with radiotherapy would probably be necessary.
If your vet is not a specialized oncologist, please seek a vet who is, immediately, and/or get a professional consult with a feline oncologist who can review kitty's case and recommend the best treatment options tailored to your kitty.
..........Traci
Re: spindle cell sarcoma - help?
203-703 ---903--at least the three is right....picky picky picky....
Re: spindle cell sarcoma - help?
Ha Ha Ha!davet wrote:203-703 ---903--at least the three is right....picky picky picky....
..........Traci
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Guest
Re: spindle cell sarcoma - help?
Many thanks for the info - sorry about message board etiquette problem, I generally post on boards about comic books, which are a LOT less friendly than this one!
I will get back with the info on my auntie's cat soon.
I will get back with the info on my auntie's cat soon.
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Guest
Re: spindle cell sarcoma - help?
OK - I've spoken with my aunt, and she tells me that her cat is 9, and had the tumor removed in August 04. However, previously she was a very overweight cat, and now she has lost half of her weight.
If anyone could advise on aftercare in this situation, and any way of preventing reoccurence (I know this is highly unlikely, as a cancer, if it is going to re-occur, will just do so anyway, but my Aunt begged me to ask), I would be so, SO grateful!
If anyone could advise on aftercare in this situation, and any way of preventing reoccurence (I know this is highly unlikely, as a cancer, if it is going to re-occur, will just do so anyway, but my Aunt begged me to ask), I would be so, SO grateful!
Re: spindle cell sarcoma - help?
Well again, I strongly suggest that your aunt has a pro feline oncologist working for her kitty.
The concerning thing here is the significant amount of weight loss. You must determine if the weight loss is due to anorexia, a secondary health condition, or the location of the tumor causing problems. (where was the tumor located prior to removal?). Were other health conditions ruled out, such as kidney disease, heart disease, thyroid disfunction, etc? It's imperative these conditions are ruled out so that nothing is left undetected or untreated.
The most important thing your aunt can do is followup regularly with her vet and/or oncologist for routine bloodwork monitoring, keeping an eye on any secondary health condition or infections cropping up, frequent x-ray evaluation for evidence of metastisis, ensuring proper dietary approach and fluid administration where necessary, and treating secondary infections/problems if they occur. A feline oncologist would probably be better utilized here because they are more familiar with staging, diagnostics, followup and treating symptoms as they occur.
The concerning thing here is the significant amount of weight loss. You must determine if the weight loss is due to anorexia, a secondary health condition, or the location of the tumor causing problems. (where was the tumor located prior to removal?). Were other health conditions ruled out, such as kidney disease, heart disease, thyroid disfunction, etc? It's imperative these conditions are ruled out so that nothing is left undetected or untreated.
The most important thing your aunt can do is followup regularly with her vet and/or oncologist for routine bloodwork monitoring, keeping an eye on any secondary health condition or infections cropping up, frequent x-ray evaluation for evidence of metastisis, ensuring proper dietary approach and fluid administration where necessary, and treating secondary infections/problems if they occur. A feline oncologist would probably be better utilized here because they are more familiar with staging, diagnostics, followup and treating symptoms as they occur.
..........Traci