lymphoma, status post tumor resection

canopener

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Earlier this month, one of my cats was found to have an abdominal mass on exam. Within a week, she was in surgery and had a solid tumor surrounding a section of intestine removed. We got the pathology back today. The good news is it looks like the vet got the whole thing with wide margins (ie. a satisfactory buffer zone of normal tissue around the edges of what he took out). The bad news is that it's a high-grade lymphoma. We have an appointment with the oncologist on Friday.

I was just wondering if anyone has had similar experiences and can give me some sense of what I can expect.
 

riley1

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My cat had cancer of the intestines & stomach - no masses.  The vet told me chemo therapy is well tolerated by cats.  I asked them how long my cat would live if the chemo worked and he said 6-18 months.  Get the vets to tell you every detail of what they want to do & what recovery you can expect.  With mine I had to pull the information out of them.  My cat hated going to the vet (I took him many times trying to find out what was wrong) & was terrible with meds. The specialist wanted to cut him open for a biopsy but told me it could be negative even if he had cancer.  They would not do any chemo if they didn't prove it.  The point is to write down all your questions before your visit & get as much info as you can.  I wish I would have know all there was to know before we started the process.

Good luck & wishing your kitty a speedy recovery!
 

stephenq

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Earlier this month, one of my cats was found to have an abdominal mass on exam. Within a week, she was in surgery and had a solid tumor surrounding a section of intestine removed. We got the pathology back today. The good news is it looks like the vet got the whole thing with wide margins (ie. a satisfactory buffer zone of normal tissue around the edges of what he took out). The bad news is that it's a high-grade lymphoma. We have an appointment with the oncologist on Friday.

I was just wondering if anyone has had similar experiences and can give me some sense of what I can expect.
There is a big difference between large cell lymphoma (a mass) and small cell lymphoma (no mass).  Generally the prognosis is poor with large cell lymphoma, but you have likely bought some time and quality of life.  Talk to your oncologist and enjoy every minute you have.  Every mnoment is precious and there is never enough time.  Good luck and keep us updated.
 

denice

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LDG has a kitty that is a real success story here.  He had an inoperable large cell lymphoma in his stomach so no surgery just the chemo.  He has been in remission for 3 years now.  I think this is an exceptionally good result but it does happen.
 

ldg

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If your kitty travels without too much stress (and there are steps you can take to help reduce it), and you can afford it, the outcome of chemo putting the cancer into remission (if recommended) is 50%. Most cats tolerate it pretty well overall - incidence of cats that just don't do well with it is about 15%.

Lazlo was given 4 weeks to live without treatment, and by the time it was diagnosed, he was one very sick kitty. So once we started treatments, with the supporting therapy (prednisolone, cerenia for nausea, and an appetite stimulant), he basically just felt better and better as the chemo attacked the mass in his stomach. There were, of course, ups and downs, and I did have to syringe feed him mostly for the first month or so. But most cats do tolerate it well. If your oncologist advises the CHOP protocol, that last treatment of the cycle (mmm.... doxirubicon? (Adriamycin)) is a bit hard on them. We didn't do a standard CHOP, the oncologist tailored it to Lazlo's situation and response. But FYI, we did stop having the monthly ultrasounds - I saw no point in the expense as it's not like we were going to stop the chemo at that point anyway. So we went the full course and THEN had an ultrasound done. We were very fortunate, it found no mass to measure. :heart2: I do get one done every 6 - 8 months now, just to keep an eye on things.

Of course - there are others that pursued chemo and it didn't put the cancer in remission. :( The best thing to do is chat with the oncologist and see what they have to say.

FYI, I have taken quite a few steps to improve Lazlo's chances of staying in remission. At least in my estimation. We put him on a raw food diet that I make myself (human grade meats, no additives, etc). He gets curcumin, aloe vera, probiotics... and since the chemo, he always seemed to be slightly nauseous, and a bit "off." I suspected chronic, mild pancreatitis. It isn't detectable on imaging or via the fPLI. But that doesn't mean it isn't there. So I researched and decided to try Canna Companion - a high CBD hemp developed by vets for pets. This totally turned him around - boosted his appetite, addressed his nausea - if there was pain, it manages that. So he's not on any pepcid or cerenia - no actual meds any longer, not for some time now. Here's a thread discussing it: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/291998/cannabis-cats This would be an excellent thing to ask the oncologist - it may really help during chemo (I wasn't aware of it then) if you decide to go that route.

:vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes:
 
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canopener

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We saw the oncologist today and Cricket was started on the La-COP protocol. The oncologist is actually quite optimistic.
 

ldg

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It's nice to hear the oncologist is optimistic! I hope all goes well and as it should. :heart2: Vibes your kitty remains comfortable and this treatment puts the cancer into remission. :vibes: :vibes: :vibes:
 
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