Mass in Chest Cavity

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Nicole & Baby

Nicole & Baby

Member Since 2009
Hello, Sadi went in for a routine dental and her vet did an x-ray to make sure she was ok to go under anesthesia; unfortunately he saw a mass in her chest cavity and referred us to a cardiologist to see what was going on. We went to the cardiologist and he did an echocardiogram; it is a solid mass in her chest cavity (her heart is fine) and I am devastated of course. This was incidental and accidentally found and there are no symptoms. Sadi is 12 years old (will be 13 next month), had great blood work results last month and has gained 3 lbs in the past 1.5 years. Overall kitty is great, eating/drinking/playing/litter box are all normal - she is not Diabetic and has no known health issues. I was too upset to have the fine needle aspiration done at that time (a few days ago), next step is to return to have that done and find out what we are dealing with. The day the fine needle aspiration is done, she will need to be sedated (she is not a good patient), have medications, stay all day, etc. cost is about $700 (echocardiogram/exam was $700 the other day too). Once the samples are obtained, an oncologist will take a look and if he feels confident he knows what it is – he will make a diagnosis, if he is unsure at all – the sample will be sent off to the University of Miami for a cytologist to make a determination. This is my Baby, I have had Sadi since she was weeks old – has been with me through school, jobs, and moving out of state – her and her sister are all I have (no kids, husband, etc.). I know I will not put her through chemo & I don’t want to put her through a lot. I have mixed emotions about finding what it is because I know I am not going to put her through a lot, however – finding it prior to any symptoms – we might stand a good chance of catching it in time and improving her odds. I hear stories of masses being removed, only to grow back again, I know it is hard to offer much advice when I don’t know what we are dealing with yet.. just not sure what to do because this will stress her out immensely and she seems to be in good health. nailbite_smile
 
I am saddened by what was found in Sadi. Whether or not to the FNA is not that easy of a decision to make as you know. Whatever decision you make is the right one for you and Sadi.
 
((((Nicole)))) My neighbor's cat had a tumor somewhere inside him and not expected to make it long. He was put on prednisone or (something like that) and one day my neighbor came by my house and said the tumor is gone :) The medicine helped. He lived about another year. I hope you have more time than you think with Sadi, and lots and lots of time to love her.
 
Maybe chat to your vet and the oncologist. If it is a tumour what are the odds of the treatment working? what is the lifespan without and with treatment?

((hugs))

Wendy
 
Thank you everyone for your support and kindness – do you think I should go ahead and find out what it is? Just not sure what to do... I don't even know what it is yet... :sad: I just don't want to put her through the fine needle aspiration and day of sedation, etc. so sad :(
 
I'm with Wendy, Nicole. Ask what the options are, depending on what they find. What would be the best outcome and if it was that, what's the prognosis. If, for instance, the best outcome is a non malignant tumor but the prognosis would be a couple months, that would help you make a decision. If the prognosis isn't great regardless, then it could be that you and Sadie enjoy the time you have left. If there could be a good outcome, then maybe you'd feel better about some short term pain and anxiety now?

And yes, regardless of your decision, you know it will be the right one, because you love her and will be making it based on that love.
 
Nicole,

I took my cat Ally( who had a mass) for a CT scan rather than putting her through a FNA, maybe an option? An oncologist can look at it to determine whats going on and its not as stressful on the cat.

Terri
 
Thank you all, I am so upset - it's like I have a healthy cat in front of me and there are no symptoms - this was accidentally found when taking her to dental. I am just a wreck, I think I need to have it aspirated so I will know what I am dealing with that way I know what to expect. Part of me just wants to let her be a cat and not stress her out but I am scared that I will come home one day and she will be gone - but I have to remember that we know it is a mass, we don't know what kind or anything.
 
Nicole,

I know exactly how you feel. I went through the same thing a couple years ago. My cat was healthy but just coughing a little, I thought she just had allergies or a bit of asthma. I was devastated.
I am hoping its nothing serious, praying that its not. When do you think she will have this done?

Terri
 
Thank you Terri, I am not sure - I am giving it some serious thought this weekend and if I choose to have it aspirated it will be within the next week or so. I know I need to make a decision and feel I am so emotional right now it's hard. I just know I won't put her through a lot. I did read "A chest tumor may be malignant, meaning it causes cancer or it may be benign or non-cancerous. Many non-cancerous chest tumors have no symptoms and may exist in the chest undetected". I know that is being extremely optimistic. I am sorry to hear about your furbaby - when yours started exhibiting more symptoms - what were they? I don't even know what to look for. What type of cancer did your baby have? How long from diagnosis did she survive? How was it found? Sorry for all the questions..
 
Nicole,

The only symptom my cat Ally had ever, was coughing, so I took her for an xray and they found it then. I think she may have lost a pound of weight as well. I had her for 6 months after her diagnosis in January 2011 until June with no intervention whatsoever. She was happy, playful and lived a very good several months after her diagnosis. She had a malignant lung tumor in one of the lobes of her lungs. She was the sister to my avatar, the Siamese mix Lilly, I got them both when they were 8 weeks old.
You said your cat actually has gained weight, so I think that is a plus. Its possible and I pray that maybe its not a tumor but could be something else?
I am sure there are other conditions that could mimic a tumor. If I remember correctly thats why they wanted to to take Ally for a CT scan because an xray does not really show that much when it somes to cancers or tumors.
Is it possible it could be an infection or something like that?

Terri
 
Thank you Terri, not sure what it is I guess until I bite the bullet of an aspirate. Yes, she has gained 3 lbs in 1 year and bloodwork done last month actually indicates white blood cell count is normal if not low...
 
Nicole & Baby said:
Thank you everyone for your support and kindness – do you think I should go ahead and find out what it is? Just not sure what to do... I don't even know what it is yet... :sad: I just don't want to put her through the fine needle aspiration and day of sedation, etc. so sad :(
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Yes, I would find out what is is. If it turns out to be lymphoma, many cats respond very well to the chemo for that. My Abbey lived 4.5 years past her lymphoma diagnosis.

I always want to know what I'm dealing with so I can make the best decision with all of the information possible.
 
Thank you for your reply Deanie, I agree - I need to know what I am dealing with and after almost 13 years I do owe it to my furbaby to see what it is. Just a little (a lot) nervous about the sedation part, however if it is minimal stress on her and I can treat - then I will to gain years with her. :-D
 
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