Polyps or cancer?

Hi all. Sorry, this might be long so i can explain it all.

So my boy Roller is a 12 year old white cat. Over the last few months, he's has a stertor thats gotten worse andhas a growth at the back of his mouth/throat that is getting larger. The vet suspects squamous cell carcinoma but to biopsy it, we'd have to knock him out and he runs the risk of dying because of the location of where it is and possible swelling of his throat. If i don't do the exploration, we will never know of its cancer or a small possibility of it being a nasopharyengal polyp (less than 5%). The fact he is all white makes him higher risk for squamous c.c cancer, although he's an indoor cat. His heart, lungs and bloodwork are fine.

Now Roller is struggling to breath as each day goes on because this thing is blocking his airway. He is still full of life, eating, playing and has only lost 0.4 lbs since i first took him to the vet 2 months ago. The weight loss could be explained by him being more active since he's been getting extra attention and playtime.

Theres no doubt in the coming weeks i will need to make the tough decision to put him down because he can't breathe. The vet has given me the option of opting for the exploration at that time, so if it turns out to be cancerous (95%), they will put him down while he's under. If its a polyp, they will remove what they can and he should be fine after some swelling and tlc.

He does not have any other symptoms. Just this "thing" in his throat that looks like a pink fleshy balloon.his apetite is fine, his energy is up and he is happy.

Will i kick myself for not doing the surgery? Will i kick myself for letting him go on a cold steel table without being by his side? Its more than likely what I know it is, but I want to hope its not. What would you do and why?

No thoughts? im really struggling with this decision.

Hi @meplus5  - I remember us discussing Roller a while back and I'm so sorry at this time you are still struggling with this.  

You said you would wait until Rollers breathing becomes labored and at that time you would opt for the surgery.

My question is if at that time you opt for surgery and it's a polyp they remove it, can they bring him out, and if it is a cancerous growth, can't they remove that as well, if so why put him to rest?  I know you know my story with Simon, and he's lived with it for months now, even with his jaw twisted.  Simon's cancer adhered to the bone so surgery wasn't an option, plus his murmur.  

You mentioned Rollers blood work came out normal so besides the growth he sounds healthy. I don't know, this is a tough one to decide, especially since you don't know for sure what the growth is.

If the vet can actually see the pink fleshy growth, can't he tell what it is?

Can they do an x-ray to determine how big the growth is.  That may help you figure at least how much time you have to enjoy each other.  Or since you can see it, can you tell how fast it's growing, or have an idea..

Does your vet seem confident and certain Roller would make it through the surgery even if it turns out to be a polyp? If so I'd opt for surgery, if not, I'd want him home with me, knowing he wasn't stressed out in his last hours.

Also, one thing in my journey I always thought of is, if the surgery only gives him a couple of months, is it worth it? I figured if Simon was operated on, I'd want him to live long enough to forget all about it.

I fear I've been no help at all.  

Please keep me updated.  I need to think about Roller, you and your situation more.  It's a tough spot.  Enjoy your sweet boy, we'll help you figure this out.

Thank you for your comment. Just having someone to bounce this off of and type out loud helps me work through it.

The vet can see the mass, and did a swab cytology. She said the cells looked abnormal, and the mass looks angry, which is why she thinks its squamous c.c. on the other hand, infection can cause both of those things. He was given anti biotics and prednisolone... its less angry/irritated now but its grown. Xray didnt show anything, not even the mass. No metasasis either.

If its a polyp, he has a good chance of surviving the surgery but likely with alot of swelling which is where the risk is until it heals. If its cancerous, because of the location, they cannot remove it since it would be attached to the tissues surrounding his throat and mouth. They would euthanize him on the table while he is under so that he doesn't have to recover from the procedure since he would wake up with a tumor AND swelling, making things much worse.

Hes incredibly content right now except his very noisy breathing and open mouth sometimes. Eats and plays like a champ. I dont want him to suffer or struggle, so i need to make this decision soon. I just dont know if the 5% is worth taking by doing the surgery and losing those last moments with him. Or if that 5% is worth the hope, piece of mind but likely disappointment.

This is Roller catching some sun today in between his playtime.

Is there anyway you could be there with him while he's being anesthetized, before the actual procedure? It would give you the chance to say your final goodbyes just in case, but still provide you with that small chance of him coming through if it's a polyp.

I'm sorry I can't be of more help, this is a tough call. Good luck and give Roller a good head scratch from me.

Hello again...

I was just thinking.  If you opt for no further treatments.  As the end nears, did the vet say how he is most likely to pass.  Will he suffer from labored breathing,  or would he fall out in a deep sleep due to lack of oxygen?  And when that time comes, can they give you Burpenex to keep on hand as to ease his pain?

That for me would help me decide.  

@Red Top Rescue  gave me the advice on keeping a syringe extra in case since my new vet doesn't have as many office hours as my last.  The down side of this new vet.  I ran this by the new vet and he also told me to do this.

I don't mean to bring up the ugly, but it's all part of making "that" decision.

I'll be thinking of you and Roller.  Keep me posted.  As always, best to you and your furry wee one.