Cancer? Granuloma? Something else?

Hi,

My vet found a mass in my 13yo cat's abdominal region at her checkup last week. She had been losing weight and wasn't herself, so I took her in.

The vet referred me to a surgeon who would take an xray and ultrasound for further diagnostics.

We went today, and he said that there is a mass in or on the bowel, but that the tests are inconclusive. He even aspirated the mass twice, but no clues.

Her bloodwork was normal except for elevated calcium. Urine normal as well.

He said the next step is surgery, but that it is in a hard to reach place. UGH! I am so torn as to what to do. He mentioned the obvious: cancer, tumor, etc., and also mentioned that it could be a granuloma, but was loathe to discuss anything in real detail without knowing what it was.

I can't imagine putting my 13yo timid cat through a difficult surgery (he said it was in a tough spot), and we may lose her on the table.

Any insight? What would you do?

We are looking at the same thing (mass, possible/probable tumor) and weight loss, with decrease in grooming in our case, but we go back for a recheck in a few weeks and then an ultrasound or x-ray, with our 12 year old cat, Meggie. This is of course strickly our decision (and our vet agrees with our choice) that surgery, etc. would not be something we would persue, due to her age and the outcomes our vet has seen for surgery if it is cancer. We have chosen to let her go rather than put her through that invasive of a treatment at her age. (Meggie also has a small heart murmur, which has developed with age, that could be a concern too).

Good luck with your decision - it is a horrible decision to have to make .

Insight...
At age 13 (human age, 69), she is certainly in the senior range. She is certainly not, however, ancient.

There is a mass in/on her intestine. That mass may be a benign growth. Perhaps the fact that two aspirations were taken without the discovery of malignant cells might suggest/support that.

Without intervention, it would appear that she will continue to lose weight.

Her calcium is "elevated". That would appear to be the only other abnormality, and so, while a high calcium level might suggest cancer, unless the surgon and Vet concluded otherwise, I wouldn't suggest you include it in the equation at this point.

Surgery...any surgery has its risks. The mass is in "a hard to reach place"... but, the surgeon is an experienced surgery specialist.

The mass could be cancer or a Granuloma.
Granuloma: A tumour-like mass of tissue consisting of several types of cell. Usually occurs in response to a chronic inflammatory condition.

Cancer is treatable with surgery/chemotherapy/radiation. Cats (seemingly, unlike many humans) appear to manage these therapies well.

You said your cat is timid. She is therefore no different from many other cats. That will not affect the surgery nor its outcome. Cats are known to be very resiliant. Losing her on the table...for me, that does not advance a rational decision pro or con.


What would I do?
If she were one of mine and, given the factual information you presented, I would not hesitate to proceed with the surgery and give her every opportunity for a normal lifespan.

After that, I would ensure that she has an examination every six months and bloodwork done annually as recommended for senior cats.

I wish you the very best.

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your kind words and advice.

I am so bummed, because after the vet visit and poking and prodding, my cat is completely stressed out, reclusive and not herself. I typically have our vet come to our house because of this, but the trip to the medical center was necessary in this case.

She was completely happy yesterday: eating, playing, cuddling, hanging out with us, and now she is a completely different cat.

This is what makes it so hard for me to consider surgery for her. All of the pain, being away from us, recovery, etc., seems so unfair and with little hope of giving her any real increase in the quality of her life. I am so heartbroken about this, and already feel bad for her current depressed condition.

I am talking to my vet today to see if she can shed any insight based on the ultrasound, xray, aspirations, blood and urine work. I find it hard to believe that they can't even give me a ballpark estimation of what is going on. The doctor flat out refused to give me possibilities until he did the surgery.

So surgery or nothing?

Thanks again, everyone