Iris Diffuse Melanoma

lavendermoon21 · Nov 29, 2016

Hello all, I would like to get some opinions on what to do with my kitty girl, Meemee Eloise. She is almost 8 years old. At around two years of age in May of 2011, I notice a black spot on her left eye. My regular vet referred me to an eye specialist and Ive been taking her there every 6 to 8 months since. At first, it was a diagnosis of melanosis and her eye pressure was within normal range. About two years ago, the eye specialist noticed a raised spot which then deemed the diagnosis as melanoma. Her pressure remains in the normal range. The Opthamologist just keeps telling me to keep an eye on it and she'll let me know when it will be a good time for enucleation. My last visit with the specialist was in June of 2016. I was a little late and noticed the appointment seemed really rushed, and I'm not sure the specialist did a thorough job. It made me think she didn't really care. The more research I do on this diagnosis makes me realize that metastasizing of the cancer is very high risk. Why is the specialist making us 'wait it out'? Wouldn't taking the eye out asap be the best choice? Although I have reservations on the enucleation, I would rather do that than have my girl succumb to cancer which may have already spread throughout her body!! I have an appointment with my regular vet this coming Friday. They will do a chest xray and blood work to see if it has spread. Hopefully it comes back negative. My question is, if it hasn't spread yet, would you go ahead with the enucleation? Or keep doing what the specialist is saying, which is watch it for any other changes? I feel if I keep watching it for any changes, it may be too late. I am at a crossroads here and any recommendations/advice would be much appreciated. Thanks for reading.

meemers.jpg

lavendermoon21
Nov 29, 2016

stephenq · Nov 29, 2016

lavendermoon21 said:
Hello all, I would like to get some opinions on what to do with my kitty girl, Meemee Eloise. She is almost 8 years old. At around two years of age in May of 2011, I notice a black spot on her left eye. My regular vet referred me to an eye specialist and Ive been taking her there every 6 to 8 months since. At first, it was a diagnosis of melanosis and her eye pressure was within normal range. About two years ago, the eye specialist noticed a raised spot which then deemed the diagnosis as melanoma. Her pressure remains in the normal range. The Opthamologist just keeps telling me to keep an eye on it and she'll let me know when it will be a good time for enucleation. My last visit with the specialist was in June of 2016. I was a little late and noticed the appointment seemed really rushed, and I'm not sure the specialist did a thorough job. It made me think she didn't really care. The more research I do on this diagnosis makes me realize that metastasizing of the cancer is very high risk. Why is the specialist making us 'wait it out'? Wouldn't taking the eye out asap be the best choice? Although I have reservations on the enucleation, I would rather do that than have my girl succumb to cancer which may have already spread throughout her body!! I have an appointment with my regular vet this coming Friday. They will do a chest xray and blood work to see if it has spread. Hopefully it comes back negative. My question is, if it hasn't spread yet, would you go ahead with the enucleation? Or keep doing what the specialist is saying, which is watch it for any other changes? I feel if I keep watching it for any changes, it may be too late. I am at a crossroads here and any recommendations/advice would be much appreciated. Thanks for reading.

My research shows there are different types of eye melanomas, some benign, some not, and some like diffuse ones can be watched for a period of time. See these two good articles.

http://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/eyes/c_ct_eye_tumor

http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pe...animal-health/eye-tumors-melanoma-in-cats/259

lavendermoon21 · Nov 30, 2016

Thank you for the reply. That's what makes it so confusing for me because some sites say there is a high chance of metasticizing, others don't. The specialist told me at first that it was considered benign, until she seen the raised spot. As of now, although she doesn't see any free floating cells in the iris, it is considered melanoma with a chance of malignant transference. I'm just wondering what she is waiting for. If she is waiting to see free floating cells before she decides to enucleate the eye, then it may be too late? I won't be able to get in to see the specialist til January. I just don't know what to do, its making me ill.

mrsgreenjeens · Nov 30, 2016

When she said to "keep an eye on it", did you at least tell you what to look for?. I think that's key. Have you seen any changes at all since her last visit? If so, then you should call them and tell them there are changes and you need to be seen right away since it could mean it's growing.

If you have any doubts at all, then do the enucleation now. Better now than too late, that's my theory. But I would try to at least TALK to the opthamologist first to ask these very questions that you are asking of us. Maybe via phone?

lavendermoon21 · Dec 1, 2016

The only change I have noticed is that she doesn't have as much meat on her bones as she used to. I wouldn't say she is skinny, but she doesn't feel the same when i pet her. She told me to look for drainage and to watch Meemee to see if she rubs the eye a lot. I'm thinking it would be to risky to wait for those symptoms to happen. I've tried calling a few times but I can only talk to her assistants because she is "busy". I moved the appointment up to the 16th of this month so I have been making a list of questions to ask. I was mainly just wondering what others would do in my scenario. Would y'all go ahead and get blood work and chest x rays done? That can be quite pricey but I think for piece of mind I should go ahead and do it. I originally made this post because I couldn't figure out what to do and was scared. I thank you for your time to reply to me <3

Iris Diffuse Melanoma

lavendermoon21

TCS Member

Thread starter

meemers.jpg

stephenq

TCS Member

lavendermoon21

TCS Member

Thread starter

mrsgreenjeens

Every Life Should Have Nine Cats

lavendermoon21

TCS Member

Thread starter

Latest Posts

Connect with us