10/30 Max -- Probable carcinoma/possibly pancreatitis

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max&emmasmommie

max&emmasmommie

Member Since 2012
Hi, everyone. I'm a little shell shocked. So, this may seem very clinical and detached, but here it is:

The cytology report wasn't very helpful. It says that the cells are atypical and are most consistent with changes that indicate carcinoma (very, very bad); could be consistent with changes that indicate sarcoma (very rare, and better than having carcinoma, but still requiring surgery, chemo, radiation or all three); or it might be that he has nothing more than pancreatitis appearing as a cyst filled with pus and fluid.

We are going to take him in tomorrow and get some bloodwork done, and the vet will check him with the ultrasound machine to see if the tumor has changed at all. I told him I think it has reduced in size and may be leaking. The vet agreed that just because fluid leaked out does not mean it is merely pancreatitis. If there is an infection, that might be encouraging, but it still won't be conclusive. However, Max may need to be treated with antibiotics if an infection has leaked out into the cavity after the aspriation.

I'm going to remain hopeful that its just pancreatitis, and if we can treat that he will start eating better and gain some weight.

I'm not sure whether to do a biopsy at this point. If the "tumor" doesn't grow again, maybe we can avoid that and make him as comfortable as possible until it grows. Then, we may need to biopsy it to find out what is best for him and his comfort and quality of life.

Yesterday: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=82132

If anyone has any advice about the biopsy or pancreatits, that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
 
(((Dale)))

I am so sorry for you guys at this stressful time. I understand going clinical - that's the only way I can get through the initial understanding of things, and that good because it helps you keep a clear head to understand what is being said and what the implications may be. Sending very positive and strong vetty vines for you and some more definitive news. Everything crossed this is just pancreatitis and that he'll start eating better and gaining some weight.

Lisa & Leo
 
Oh Dale - there's no way to express how sorry I am that you and your beloved Max are going through this. It's so scary especially when you still aren't exactly sure what's going on.

Fitzel has panceatitis and before she was diagnosed was losing weight and didn't have much interest in eating. This changed a bit when she went on bupe for pain. Her appy still isn't what I want it to be and she could use another pound or two but her attitude improved. The bupe makes her a bit stoned but she's not in distress.

The decision to go the full route in case it's cancer is such a visceral and personal one. I've had two cats in my life who had cancer. One we did everything and the other we kept comfortable for as long as possible. They both lived about the same amount of time past dx - about one year.

All my prayers to you, your family and to Max. Listen to your heart and to your kitty. They will be your best guiding light through this tunnel.
Shai
 
I'm so sorry to hear about poor Max, i hope that its just pancreatitis and not that other word.

Leo and i were just at the vet yesterday and the vet discussed doing a biopsy on his liver, its full out surgery and you have to think "do i really want to put him through a surgery?"

I hope the ultrasound shows good news.

I agree with Shai, listen to your heart and your kitty. Hugs to you both :YMHUG: :YMHUG:
 
Dale, I'm so sorry about this. Waiting to know is so hard on your heart. Y:ou two are in my prayers.
mary and oliver
 
I'm so sorry and hope it just the pancreatitis. My thoughts and prayers are with you -

(((hugs)))
 
If it is pancreatitis, Marje put together a post on pancreatitis with very helpful information along with all of the links. I'm going to assume your vet set out a blood sample for a spec fPLI. It may help to determine if this is, in fact, p'titis.
 
(((Dale)))
I'm so sorry. Some good information right above in Sienne's post. I hope, too, it is pancreatitis or something that is treatable. Hang onto being hopeful, and after you get the results from the b/w and another check on the ultrasound.
How is Max doing insofar as is he still eating and urinating, etc. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and DH and little Emma. Sending lots of good Vetty vines for tomorrow.
Hugs,
Ann
 
Sending more and more "let it just be pancreatitis!" vines. or something that is more treatable. :YMHUG: :YMHUG: cat_pet_icon cat_pet_icon
 
I tend to go with Occams razor which essentially says "in the absence of all other data, the simplest explanation is usually the correct one".

To me I see the possibilities with the info you have now are "diabetes and carcinoma" or "diabetes and pancreatitis" or "diabetes and sarcoma". And the "tumor" seems to be shrinking and leaking.

Sarcoma is rare so more unlikely.
If its carinoma why is it leaking? seems unlikely too
However pancreatis and diabates are common together.. so simplest explanation for now! You will get more info tomorrow obviously but lets try and keep positive.


FYI I took my pet rabbit for her checkup recently. Turns out she had lost 1/3 of her body weight and the vet found a "mass" in her abdomen. Could be cancer or a swollen liver. Blood tests were inconclusive. We decided to just give her painkillers and try and feed her up a bit.. no more tests.. we didnt want to put her through biopsy and ultrasound and xrays at her advanced age and treatment of whatever they found would be expensive and hard on her.

So although we had restricted her pellets recently due to stomach issues but started just giving her as many as she wanted. But anyway for various reasons (mainly cost) we ended up taking her to another vet . The new vet couldnt find the lump!!!. Said it was probably gas or a bowel movement. And her weight is increasing again now that she is getting more pellets. Moral of the story.. think horse not camel.. sometimes it will be a camel for sure :( but many times its just a horse!!

Keeping all our paws crossed!
 
Hi Dale,
Adding more crossed paws and fingers to the "only pancreatitis" scenerio. I hope you will get the results from the spec fPL and the bloodwork soon. Follow your heart.

Many, many hugs to you all,

Ella & Rusty
 
(((Dale)))

I'm at a loss as to what to say, Dale. Damn. Never thought I'd pray for p-titis, but I'm praying tonight.

Huge hugs,
Carl
 
Dale, So sorry to hear this update, I feel for you having to make these decisions. My first cat had a mass that we hoped was a cyst. It grew back rapidly and biopsy showed it was fibrosarcoma caused by the rabies vaccine in use at the time. It was very helpful to know for sure what we were dealing with. We weighed options and chome and raidtion had low success for that so we had her back leg removed to save her life. She lived 10 more years until CRF took her at age 19. Its never easy but I am sure you will find your way through this difficult time. I am hoping its something treatable, pancreatitis or better yet something less serious than that. Hugs and positive vines.
 
Dale. I hope the next test and ultrasound show it's pancreatitis or something less severe. If it doesn't any decisions you make concerning Max will be made out of your love for him and will be the right one. We have you, Max and your family in our prayers.
 
:YMHUG: to you and Max. My heart goes out to you and your little buddy. I have absolutely no advice having not experienced this but just want to let you know we are praying for you. :YMHUG:

Karen
 
Thank you to everyone for your kind thoughts. I am so sorry to hear that some of you have been through this before, and I am particularly sorry to hear that Tracy and Leo are dealing with the same issue.

Wendy, that is excellent advice -- and I'm trying to think that way for sure. Afterall, he's not eating a lot, but he's eating, and he likes to be outside. I'm not sure he would like that if he were very sick. He doesn't appear to be in any pain, and although cats hide their pain, he's not showing any of the signs we look for.
 
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