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- Sep 10, 2013
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I have the results of the ultrasound examination.
The report is quite lengthly and I'm typing on an iPad, so I will only type the conclusion.
"There is a relatively large mass lesion occupying the left side of the liver as described. Consideration could be given to both benign etiologies such as a very large cavitated hepatoma or a more aggressive process such as hepatocellular carcinoma. The latter is considered more likely and fine needle aspiration or biopsy could be considered to further evaluate. There is mild thickening of small intestinal walls and these changes are most likely inflammatory in nature. There is a segment of colon wall that is abnormal however it does maintain architectural layering. A focal inflammatory process/stricture or an early neoplastic process must be considered. There are mild to moderate chronic renal changes as described."
Basically, they're saying he probably has a form of liver cancer. Removing the affected lobe of his liver would be a very major operation. Due to his age, recovery is not a certainty, so the vet was not recommending surgery for this. The best option is probably just to keep him comfortable as long as his quality of life is good. When he stops eating and his health takes a turn for the worse, the reason will be fairly clear and that will be the time to make a humane decision for him, instead of trying to treat an unknown problem. For that reason, I think it was worth doing the ultrasound.
Thank you all for your earlier responses.
The report is quite lengthly and I'm typing on an iPad, so I will only type the conclusion.
"There is a relatively large mass lesion occupying the left side of the liver as described. Consideration could be given to both benign etiologies such as a very large cavitated hepatoma or a more aggressive process such as hepatocellular carcinoma. The latter is considered more likely and fine needle aspiration or biopsy could be considered to further evaluate. There is mild thickening of small intestinal walls and these changes are most likely inflammatory in nature. There is a segment of colon wall that is abnormal however it does maintain architectural layering. A focal inflammatory process/stricture or an early neoplastic process must be considered. There are mild to moderate chronic renal changes as described."
Basically, they're saying he probably has a form of liver cancer. Removing the affected lobe of his liver would be a very major operation. Due to his age, recovery is not a certainty, so the vet was not recommending surgery for this. The best option is probably just to keep him comfortable as long as his quality of life is good. When he stops eating and his health takes a turn for the worse, the reason will be fairly clear and that will be the time to make a humane decision for him, instead of trying to treat an unknown problem. For that reason, I think it was worth doing the ultrasound.
Thank you all for your earlier responses.
