Radiation and/or chemotherapy

Thanks for the support and encouragement offered here. My six-year-old cat, Darcy, was diagnosed with a VAS (rare but aggressive tumor) that grew from invisible to 4 cm within a couple of weeks. We got him in for surgery right away, but because it's a high grade sarcoma, he'll need additional care (most likely radiation and/or chemotherapy -- we're waiting until the incision is fully healed to make a decision). He's a sweetie and doing as well as can be expected. It's been really emotionally difficult, and as a grad student I've also been struggling to pay the bills. 

Because the tumor got so big so fast (testing and surgery was delayed slightly due to the holidays -- gah!), they weren't able to get quite the margins they wanted. While they don't see any spreading of the cancer, chemo would make sure there isn't any. Radiation would make sure it's gone locally if the margins are the biggest concern. I know that VAS can recur within months if there's even a tiny bit left -- between the shoulder blades is notoriously difficult to treat. Because he's so young, I'd love to help if there's a "cure," but as the oncologist said, at the moment there's no wrong choice, because we just don't know if there's anything remaining. I know chemo has a lot of side effects and I'd hate to put him through that unless it's necessary. If anyone has done radiation or chemo, and can talk a little about what the process was like, that would be helpful.

I can't help with your question as I have not gone through this with any of my residents or fosters over the years. However,I was wondering if you've been able to have a candid conversation with your vet or specialist about what he or she recommends and how he or she has observed other cats going through chemo and radiation reacting over the years? That might be useful.

Good luck in this difficult time. 

creirdyddlydd said:

 
My six-year-old cat, Darcy, was diagnosed with a VAS (rare but aggressive tumor)

- between the shoulder blades is notoriously difficult to treat.

I'd hate to put him through that unless it's necessary. If anyone has done radiation or chemo, and can talk a little about what the process was like, that would be helpful.

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Welcome to the forum, creirdyddlydd !  (gotta wonder where you found that handle!)

First off (and, as I'm sure you know by now) cats are notoriously sensitive to any and all kinds of injections and similar "intrusions" through their skin, and the type of tumor Dary has experienced is most probably related to some such event between his shoulder blades.

These days, the only acceptable "injections" in that general area are those non-vaccination injections, such as the implantation of a microchip, certain medications and subcutaneous fluids. That said, the only generally recognized safe substance in that group are the sub-q fluids.

For many years now, the injection of any vaccine in that area of a cat's body has been widely known to pose an unacceptable risk and the Veterinary industry has long ago established protocols for safer vaccination sites.

If I were in your shoes, I would want to know exactly what was given to Darcy between his shoulder blades. If it was a vaccine(s), I would never again allow the Vet/clinic responsible to care for any other animal/pet of mine. I would also consider both the filing of a complaint with the regional Veterinary licensing authority...and, I'd investigate the possibility of holding the Vet/clinic responsible for all costs associated with treating Darcy as a result of substandard practice.

For other peoples' experiences in treating VAS, there is no better place to go than to the specialized online group of people who themselves are dealing with this: Vaccine Associated Sarcoma Support Group

This group was started in 1999, and more than 1,700 people have participated there. Just click on the purple + Join Group button.

Hope this helps!

Please keep us updated.

I don't recall hearing about any cats having radiation treatment for cancer, but I do know of a few cats who have had chemo.  @LDG had her cat Lazlo go thru chemo treatments for Lymphoma a couple of years ago, and he's still doing fine.  However, that was a different kind of cancer. 

But I agree with Tulosai in that you should have a frank discussion with the Oncologist as to what they feel  the best course of action is.  Due to the location, it definitely sounds like it's vaccine related.  I don't know exactly what VAS is, sorry.

for Darcy that they DID get it all, and that it does NOT reappear.

Daisy is going through chemo at the moment with no side effects. She is on vincristine injections (now 2 weekly) and prednisone and cytoxan orally every 2nd day. She has large cell lymphoma so the treatment is likely to be different. I think radiation is used when it can target a specific area. If I can help with any questions please let me know.

Good luck x

Hi!  My Jill went through chemo last year for osteosarcoma after having her leg amputated.  Four rounds of IV chemo, 2 rounds of carboplatin, 2 rounds of doxorubicin each 3 weeks apart.  She handled it like a champ.  You barely knew she was having any treatment at all.  The only side effects were that she lost all her whiskers (they grow back!) and her chemo had to be postponed twice because her white blood cells were too low.  To be honest, I was SHOCKED when her white blood cells were too low, because she had no visible side effects whatsoever.