Just diagnosed with Cancer

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Oh, I am so sorry to hear this. What kind of cancer is it? What do they feel the success rate is for the chemo? Generally, you treat the cancer first and adjust the insulin as needed. Donna
 
At this point they aren't positive which kind.
The ultrasound would suggest untreatable.
The cytology indicated lymphoma - which can be treated.

but they indicated concerns with treatment options worsening the diabetes.
so still trying to understand options.
Thanks for your support.
Jessie
 
If you will be treating small cell GI lymphoma, chemo is usually beneficial. It gave my McKaela an extra 18 months of good remission before another cancer took her. She was not diabetic. I would have gone ahead with the chemo if it was my diabetic. Donna
 
As Donna said, small-cell lymphoma is very treatable. My diabetic Mario lived more than two years after being treated with leukeran (chlorambucil), a chemo drug.
 
Intestinal lymphoma can often be treated with an oral chemo drug (Leukeran, also called Chlorambucil). This is usually given together with an oral steroid called Prednisolone. The Prednisolone can cause BG's to rise. The higher BG's can be dealt with by altering the insulin dose. Left untreated, the lymphoma would be fatal. I have a non diabetic cancer cat who has been treated with pred/leukeran and his intestinal lymphoma has been in remission for over 5 years. My diabetic cat took steroids for other medical conditions. The steroids did cause his diabetes, but they also gave him many years of life that he would not otherwise have had.
 
Cancer chemo can be a taxing process on both you and the cat. Something to ask before deciding one way or another - what stage is the cancer? Lower stages are easier to treat. If it has metastasized (stage 4), it is less likely to go into remission.

Also, how old is your cat? How does your cat do with vet visits? Taking meds? Car trips? How expensive is the course of treatment? What is the prognosis for treatment - cure? slowing the progression? palliative (comfort care, not intended to cure)?

I had a kitty with lymphoma in the bone of her leg. We thought we found it early; we did not. The prognosis for a late stage lymphoma in the bone was 6 months; $2000 later, she passed at 9 months. Although they say cats and dogs don't get sick from chemo like people, she vomited and had diarrhea a few hours after every treatment, sometimes despite meds to control that.
 
Thank you all for your feedback - I really appreciate the support.
Unfortunantly, they think it has spread pretty profusely in the abdomon.

Its just so hard to sit back and not fight it, but BJM I really appreciate you perspective.
Thank you!
 
Jessie & Louie said:
Thank you all for your feedback - I really appreciate the support.
Unfortunantly, they think it has spread pretty profusely in the abdomon.

Its just so hard to sit back and not fight it, but BJM I really appreciate your perspective.
Thank you!
Click to expand...

I know how devastating that news is. {hugs}

It is often the case that is found at a late stage; cats are really good at hiding problems.

Comfort care (palliative care) will help her be comfortable until it si time for her to cross the bridge. They may use prednisone. While that does raise the glucose, you adjust the insulin to compensate so she feels as well as she can.

We never know when we'll cross the bridge, so take each day as it comes.
 
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