Feline Restrictive Orbital Myofibroblastic Sarcoma

mmrseoz

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My cat has received a diagnosis of FROMS today. He had a cancer of the ear diagnosis 2 years ago and was successfully treated. He is due to have his eye removed next week, but the worry is that the disease may have already spread. He is a rescue cat and has been with us for 16 years, he was 2/3 years old when we got him. Does anybody have any experience of this disease. He is currently eating well, acting normally and does not appear to be in any pain, the only visible sign of the disease is a puffy eye. Any advice would be gratefully received as we understand this is quite a rare disease.
 

mrsgreenjeens

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I'm so sorry you (and he) are going thru this.  Honestly, I've never heard of this type of cancer.  I've definitely heard of Iris Melanoma, which also requires that the eye be removed, but not this particular cancer.  Will he require radiation or chemo after surgery?  Cats normally recover quite well post surgery, although I don't recall reading about any cats of your guys age having it done.  I'm sure they wouldn't attempt it, though, if he weren't in good enough shape. 

Here's a thread that mentions a couple cats who've had one eye removed:  http://www.thecatsite.com/t/295016/anyone-have-a-1-eyed-cat-iris-melanoma

that all goes well and it hasn't spread
 
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mmrseoz

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Thanks for your message.  This is a very rare form and cancer which I have researched as much as possible.  There was a study done on 12 cats all of whom were much younger than George and only two survived past 9 months, the mean date for reoccurrence being 3/4 months.   George is at least 18 years old, he was rescued by us 16 years ago and we were told he was 2.  He has a long standing heart murmur (probably about 10 years), he has also had  kidney problems for several years and  is also totally deaf, though the only problem this causes him is he just has to shout louder to get what he wants and if all else fails he goes into the bathroom so he can be loud and have an echo!  We have now taken the heartbreaking decision to have him euthanized rather than go ahead with the operation.  He has had a long and happy life and is much loved, not only by his family but friends and neighbours too.  It would not be fair at this stage in his life to put him through a lengthy recovery period only for the cancer to return within a few months.  He had a cancerous tumour removed from his ear 2 years ago and we were told then not to expect more than another 12 months which he has more than doubled.  Also we had previously been told by another Vet that he would not survive an anaesthetic - this was in regard to another purely cosmetic issue.  To lessen his stress we have arranged for the Vet to come to the house rather than take him to the surgery as he has always hated going in the car.  He will be very much missed.
 

stephenq

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Thanks for your message.  This is a very rare form and cancer which I have researched as much as possible.  There was a study done on 12 cats all of whom were much younger than George and only two survived past 9 months, the mean date for reoccurrence being 3/4 months.   George is at least 18 years old, he was rescued by us 16 years ago and we were told he was 2.  He has a long standing heart murmur (probably about 10 years), he has also had  kidney problems for several years and  is also totally deaf, though the only problem this causes him is he just has to shout louder to get what he wants and if all else fails he goes into the bathroom so he can be loud and have an echo!  We have now taken the heartbreaking decision to have him euthanized rather than go ahead with the operation.  He has had a long and happy life and is much loved, not only by his family but friends and neighbours too.  It would not be fair at this stage in his life to put him through a lengthy recovery period only for the cancer to return within a few months.  He had a cancerous tumour removed from his ear 2 years ago and we were told then not to expect more than another 12 months which he has more than doubled.  Also we had previously been told by another Vet that he would not survive an anaesthetic - this was in regard to another purely cosmetic issue.  To lessen his stress we have arranged for the Vet to come to the house rather than take him to the surgery as he has always hated going in the car.  He will be very much missed.
I'm sorry for the news but your decision sounds absolutely correct and you are a great example of how to provide compassionate end of life care.
 

mrsgreenjeens

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I totally agree with StephenQ.   Now that I know more about this form of cancer and the recurrence rate, AND George's health issues,  I think you are making the right choice for him
 

The greatest gift you can give is to let them go, even as your heart is breaking. 
 
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mmrseoz

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Thank you, it is the right decision, even if a hard one.  He was a real character and will never be forgotten.  This was taken following his recovery from his first cancer op.

 

mrsgreenjeens

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Awe
  What a handsome guy.  Never to be forgotten
    You can pay homage to him in our Crossing the Bridge forum.  Often it help ease the pain when you memorialize them there, including as many pictures as you like...sometimes from the time they were kittens until...(you know


I've had to write up two memorials since joining The Cat Site eight years ago
, one just last year. 
 
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mmrseoz

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Thank you will have a look, but need to get past Monday first.
 
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