I took Angel in for the repeat bladder ultrasound yesterday. Vet thought he saw one mass/tumor 2 1/2 weeks ago. This time, there were definitely two. (He got a good picture - I saw them both)
A bladder tumor antigen test was done last time - it was negative. That, plus the location of the tumors suggests they are not transitional cell tumors. I guess that's good and bad. Apparently treatment for the transitional cell tumor involves the use of the drug Feldene which shrinks the tumors. He said surgery is usually not done because this type of tumor is so invasive it it virtually impossible to remove it all. Of course, all lab tests can have false negatives, so the vet did a centesis to send a urine to Antech for cytology. Won't know for a couple a days what the results are. If malignant, but not transitional cell, I'm not sure what to do - will have to see what he recommends. If not malignant, probably just watch and possibly do surgery if they become problematic (recurrent/chronic UTI's or blockage).
Davet, , Traci, etc. - it is very obvious that at least one, if not both, of these tumors is 'stalked' - held to the bladder wall by a small bit of tissue (looks like a mushroom on the ultrasound picture). My vet says that the transitional cell tumors are usually found near the neck of the bladder. These appear to be near the top - just the opposite of this common site. Any experience with tumors like these? Does it sound like it could be a transitional cell tumor? What else is there that I can research? Other than having 2 UTI's in the past 6 - 9 months, Angel has no symptoms of any illness or disease and seems fine.
Right now, she has been continued on the Clavamox to prevent a recurrence of the UTI. I think he wanted to do this in case she needs surgery ASAP after the results of the cytology are in. He decreased the dose to 125 mg from 250 which was given for the active UTI.
Anyone with any info on this type of problem - please let me know what you know! Other than that - please wish us luck!
Angel - repeat ultrasound shows two tumors
Angel - repeat ultrasound shows two tumors
"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." ~ Josh Billings.
Re: Angel - repeat ultrasound shows two tumors
it's all over my head, but im hoping for a quick solution/recovery for Angel.
Re: Angel - repeat ultrasound shows two tumors
I've only had experience with TCC, but hopefully Angel's outlook will be a good one. Let us know when the results come in.
JMM -- JaMi Maltese -- Dust Mops with Drive
Re: Angel - repeat ultrasound shows two tumors
i have removed bladder tumors in the past and have removed a good portion of the bladder in the process and if (big if) i remember right the majority of them were successful....but i didn;t biopsy them so was not sure what type they were but, again, i beleive the bladder compensated for the loss of tissue by streaching in the future....
i am guessing that if these are stalked they could be removed without taking too much tissue---but again only guessing'. will they be able to tell with paracentesis as to the true type of tumor or would a needle biopsy be required.....this is a toughy, good luck
i am guessing that if these are stalked they could be removed without taking too much tissue---but again only guessing'. will they be able to tell with paracentesis as to the true type of tumor or would a needle biopsy be required.....this is a toughy, good luck
Re: Angel - repeat ultrasound shows two tumors
Karen, transitional cell is a potential but other tumor types are possible as well, such as squamous cell, fibrosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, leiomyosaroma, adenocarcinoma, etc. The pathology might be able to show cell differentials from the urine (especially differentiate from transitional cell), but I wonder if a needle-biopsy would be more confirmative, you might have to do that yet.
Depending on the tumor type will depend on the necessity of surgery. If your vet or surgeon feels it's worth a try (depending on pathology results) to try to remove them, it might offer slower progression (or it might not). He probably won't truly know until he's in there to see the tumor and it's structure in order to get a good and wide excision, without damaging the bladder.
Even benign tumors can cause obstruction and interfere with normal urination, cause infection, incontinence, etc, so if you decline surgery, you could still be faced with these problems. Again, depending on the pathology will depend on the approach. If at all possible, getting them removed as soon as possible might allow for a more effective medical management, but only your vet can say.
Depending on the tumor type will depend on the necessity of surgery. If your vet or surgeon feels it's worth a try (depending on pathology results) to try to remove them, it might offer slower progression (or it might not). He probably won't truly know until he's in there to see the tumor and it's structure in order to get a good and wide excision, without damaging the bladder.
Even benign tumors can cause obstruction and interfere with normal urination, cause infection, incontinence, etc, so if you decline surgery, you could still be faced with these problems. Again, depending on the pathology will depend on the approach. If at all possible, getting them removed as soon as possible might allow for a more effective medical management, but only your vet can say.
..........Traci
Re: Angel - repeat ultrasound shows two tumors
Thanks everyone - If not transitional cell, I suspect we will be going to surgery. Angel's age is unknown, but she is not a young dog. The longer we wait, the older she gets - which means the risks increase substantially. I emailed the sheltie rescue I got her from, and got the name of the vet that removed the first tumor almost 5 years ago. If needed, he will hopefully have pathology results that will help. I am trying to remain optimistic and am hoping for a nonmalignant problem, but I'm also being realistic and think this is unlikely.
A question on the surgery. If she has bladder surgery with removal of the tumors, what type of recovery time are we looking at? Same as a spay or worse? I don't want to leave her at home alone while we're at work if she needs someone with her. When Allie was spayed, I scheduled it for a Thursday and took off Friday and Monday to be sure she was OK (picked her up after work on Thursday). Do you think this will be the right amount of time with this type of surgery, or should I plan on being home longer? I'd be unbelievably upset if something happened when I wasn't there to help her.
A question on the surgery. If she has bladder surgery with removal of the tumors, what type of recovery time are we looking at? Same as a spay or worse? I don't want to leave her at home alone while we're at work if she needs someone with her. When Allie was spayed, I scheduled it for a Thursday and took off Friday and Monday to be sure she was OK (picked her up after work on Thursday). Do you think this will be the right amount of time with this type of surgery, or should I plan on being home longer? I'd be unbelievably upset if something happened when I wasn't there to help her.
"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." ~ Josh Billings.
Re: Angel - repeat ultrasound shows two tumors
Recovery time would depend on the type of surgery and the vet's technique. I would suspect a few days with restricted activity to be best. Not really sure about this, she might require a urinary catheter overnight, might not. The vet will need to monitor her urine output, as opposed to prolonged urine retention (I'm assuming inflammation from surgery procedure would hamper urination ability post-op, but every dog is different and again, this would depend on the technique used during surgery,...and if other tissues were manipulated causing inflammation)
Your surgeon can explain this in more detail to you once they determine if surgery is the correct approach. Or if your primary vet is going to do the procedure, find out from him what his technique is, his experience with recovery times (and possible complications as well)
Your surgeon can explain this in more detail to you once they determine if surgery is the correct approach. Or if your primary vet is going to do the procedure, find out from him what his technique is, his experience with recovery times (and possible complications as well)
..........Traci
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julieb
Re: Angel - repeat ultrasound shows two tumors
Hi Karen,
Actually if the tumor is located at the apex of the bladder (opposite the "neck" or trigone region where the ureters empty in) that can be a good prognostic indicator. It makes the tumor easier to remove surgically without damaging the rest of the "plumbing" so to speak. Best wishes to you and please let us know what you find out.
Julie B
Actually if the tumor is located at the apex of the bladder (opposite the "neck" or trigone region where the ureters empty in) that can be a good prognostic indicator. It makes the tumor easier to remove surgically without damaging the rest of the "plumbing" so to speak. Best wishes to you and please let us know what you find out.
Julie B