Recurring skin mast cell tumors...

Hi everyone - I am new to this site, but desperately am looking for people who adore their cats as much as I do... and who might be able to talk straight with me.

My furbaby is 11.5 years old - she had her first mast cell tumor removed in July 2010. A second set of 3 removed in October 2010 - and most recently, a set of 7 all along her body removed the beginning of December 2010. This latest surgery was very radical (as per the vet) and the incision stretched from her back leg to her chest.

Behaviorally - she is perfectly the same as she's always been. Loves her treats, loves her toys, and loves cuddling with her mama. If anything, she has become MORE cuddly since all of this (someone told me this means she knows she is dying... which really wasn't what I wanted to hear).

The pathologist and the oncologist both recommended after the last surgery that I do an ultrasound and biopsy the speen, liver, and lymph nodes. Should they find something - chemotherapy is the treatment of choice, although they've made it clear that chemotherapy in mast cell tumors has uncertain outcomes and they can't guarantee that it would prolong her life or improve the quality of it. My furbaby hates the vet and is stressed for days after a visit - after a surgery, she isn't herself for another week. With the help of my vet (whom I adore), I've opted not to do the ultrasound as I believe putting her through chemotherapy is not the choice best for her.

If you've read until this point, thank you so much.

Basically - what I am hoping to know is... if your kitty was diagnosed with a mast cell tumors on the skin, and you opted against chemotherapy... at what point did you stop doing surgery to remove them? How long until the quality of life was impacted? What pain meds did you use, if any, and at what point? How much time do I have?

I'm sorry to ask someone who is going through this to relive and share their story with me. I just need someone to help me know what is ahead. The idea of waiting here for her to die is heartbreaking. I adore everything about this cat - she is my soulmate.

I'm so sorry your going through this. I haven't had any experience with this. But my 13 year old Yowdy had intestinal Lymphoma...1 week ago today my vet operated to remove the tumor and said chemo after. But when opening him up they found many secondary tumors and he called and said it would be best to not let him wake from the surgery as the other tumors would be back with a vengance and at the most he might get 2 more months.
Its so very hard to have to make these decisions..Ask yourself if you are doing this for you or them..I believe they let you know when its time.. Hugs for you and good vibes for you kitty

Originally Posted by lovehailey

I'm sorry to ask someone who is going through this to relive and share their story with me. I just need someone to help me know what is ahead.

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lovehailey, I'm "new" to this site too...so very sorry to read what you've been going through. Now, I haven't had any experience with Cancer since waaaay before the Internet era, but I've since learned about some great resources online by way of specific-disease support groups for almost all the common feline diseases. There's lots of combined experience available there, and I know that I would be joining up if I were in your shoes. I'm sure you'll get your questions answered there. This is the Cancer group http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/feline-cancer/ I'll keep you in my thoughts

On Friday, August 30, 2013 I took my cat to the Vet for a tumor found on left side.  He feels it is near the vaccination site he normally would give him his shots.  The Vet feels it is Vaccine Associated Feline Sarcoma (VAFS).  VAFS is an aggressive tumor for it can reoccur even if removed and even with radiation treatment.  I am not going to do a biopsy, because it could aggravate the situation and could loosen cells of the tumor and could spread.  To do surgery, whether it is malignant or benign, would be very radical surgery.  It would be an incision covering nearly 20% of his body from the shoulder to the rear legs, and then across the belly area to remove a soft tissue tumor and muscle.  This is too much for my 11.5 year old long haired cat and it could come with complications.

Right now my cat is happy, eating and drinking well, and playful and napping as usual.  To me, the quality of life factor plays heavily into my decision. 

I'm in a damned if I do, and damned if I don't situation.  I don't want to do a biopsy that could make the situation worse by spreading the tumor cells, yet to do nothing but offer compassion and pain management (when pain occurs) it could be having to put him to sleep when the matter worsens.

Sarcomas are reoccurring cancers and they could spread.  Yet, if benign it is radical surgery that could affect his quality of life adversely too and also complications that can be associated with major surgery as well.  At this point, I've decided to let him live his life and take each day as it comes. 

I've decided this plan rather than let him suffer from surgery, and if it is a VAFS sarcoma tumor, the prognosis is not good either.  I am going to leave the situation alone, and have periodic Vet visits to make sure it is not spreading, nor is he is distress or discomfort.  When it gets worse, I want to offer a compassionate means to end any/all suffering. 

I think this is the most compassionate care I could offer him under the set of circumstances.

Since you say left side, I have to ask you, has your cat been vaccinated regularly (for possibly several years) against FeLV?  That's the only vaccine that is given on the left side. 

From this article

http://www.askthecatdoctor.com/catvaccines.html

under

Clearing up the Cat Vaccines Controversy

Without getting too technical, the three main cat vaccines - FVRCP-C, FeLV, and Rabies - are all given in very specific sites on the cat’s body. The FeLV vaccine should be given in the cat’s lower left hind leg, Rabies in the lower right hind leg, and FVRCP-C over the right shoulder. Cancerous tumors that develop in these areas are easier to remove surgically than in other locations of the body. And, in the unlikely event a sarcoma develops that cannot be surgically removed from the “higher-risk” vaccines given in the hind legs, amputation is easier and can save the cat’s life.

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Does this information apply to your cat's situation? 

The cat was vaccinated over several years.  The tumor is on left side below his shoulder area.  This is not a small tumor, rather it is about 2 inches.  The Vet without a biopsy feels it is Vaccine Associated Feline Sarcoma (VAFS).  The prognosis for VAFS is not good.  Tumors are aggressive and do reoccur even after surgery as well as surgery and radiation treatment.