Cat Cancer

nikbernier

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Hello! My cat, Colby, was diagnosed with mast cell tumors which we had three (3) removed on the paw, ear and belly. The belly is still breaking out with red bumps and he has a cycle of vomiting and diarrhea. The biopsy results showed the cells were acting in a benign manner, however; the doctor feels the belly bumps are caused by the mast cell tumor behaving in a malignant manner. He recommends starting him on Chlorambucil but I don't know how I feel about this. Colby is also on a Rx Diet; Royal Canin PV. What are your thoughts?
 

red top rescue

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Personally I would not jump right into using such a potent and potentially dangerous drug for mast cell tumors of which two were behaving in a benign fashion.  Search the internet, including this site, for people who have had experience with the drug.  It is  usually used against lymphoma and leukemia.  Some cats are very sensitive and have nasty neurological responses, and other side effects like vomiting and nausea, which your cat already has.  I would investigate the belly mast cell tumor more, get an ultrasound or cat scan if your finances permit to see if it has recurred or if it is just in the skin.  I would reserve the use of any strong chemotherapy for situations where the cat's life is in immediate danger from the disease AND that the drug chosen has been proven to have a high percentage of success against the disease.

Here is another members experience from back in 2010 (Leukeran is a brand name for chlorambucil):

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/215863/leukeran-side-effects
 

white shadow

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Hi nikbernier and welcome to the forum !

For almost every chronic feline disease/condition there are specialized online information and support communities.....and, for cancer, such groups were some of the very first. The original feline cancer community started online in 1999....for you, that means that by joining there, you will have the benefit of 16 years of health management experience from almost 3000 members (and 3000 cats).......from my experience, these places are where new members will have access to the latest in treatments and therapies, advice about Vets and specialists, info on drug trials.....and on and on.

If I were in your position, that's where I'd be posing my questions.

You'll find those people right here: For People Whose Cats (may) Have Cancer - Feline Cancer Support Group - Yahoo Groups

From my experience, you'll do best by getting and using a brand new Yahoo email addy for exclusive use with this group - that will make for easy management of the back-and-forth messages (these groups use email as their operating platform)

Hope that helps !  Keep us posted as well.
 
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nikbernier

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Hi Red Top Rescue, Thank you very much for the information. I think you're right, I should definitely investigate the belly tumor more. I feel like the doctor just wants to put him on this chemo pill 'just in case' which I don't agree with. I will keep you posted :)
 
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nikbernier

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Hi White Shadow, Thank you so much for the information! I had no idea something like this existed! This will be very helpful for me and Colby :) I will keep you posted for sure :) Take care.
 
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