Today I had a phone call with Samba’s oncologist. He reviewed the pathology from her amputation in which the most narrow clear margin was 5 mm. This is really not all that good of a margin, and he admitted that it worries him some. He recommends we consider chemotherapy with doxorubicin to improve her chances of the cancer remaining gone, both locally and systemically. This medicine causes no side effects in 95 % of cats, but a few will experience nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. She would need five infusions three weeks apart at about $500 each. So, this is a decision my husband I will need to focus on soon. They do not begin it until 2 weeks after surgery, which would be next week. Have any of your pets taken doxorubicin?
Here are some nude photos of Samba 😉 ! She is healing well at the incision site!
Samba looks so cute! Mona didn’t require chemo after her surgery because the margins were wide. The tumour was lower down on her leg.
I understand why this is a worry for the oncologist. If you feel it would help you perhaps the oncologist could provide you with statistics and possibly other options such as radiation or Oncept IL2 immunotherapy (I’m not sure of the trial results).
After Mona’s amputation I took her to a holistic vet who put her on Power Mushrooms to support her immune system. She also had a chiropractic treatment. The vet also asked me to talk to Mona to explain to her what happened and my hopes for her in the future. Yes, it’s a bit weird talking to a cat in this way, particularly with one with an attention span that lasts less than a second. I asked Mona to give me 2 more years and she’s given me 4 years so far.
I believe there was a cat here who had chemo treatments but I’ll have to search the blogs. I’ll let you know what I find.
Kerren
That is so good for Mona that her tumor was lower down. I definitely plan to request lower vaccination sites for my other kitty from now on IN CASE this tumor gets her, too!
The oncologist estimated that by using chemotherapy, we could reduce the chance of recurrence and metastasis from 1/4 to 1/10. I didn’t ask about Oncept but another oncologist we saw said it wasn’t widely used and that she wasn’t convinced it actually helps. Strangely, and confusingly, when I called to speak to the surgeon himself, he said he thought the margins were good and that he wouldn’t recommend chemo but just observation. So, I guess it depends on who you talk to, and “to the hammer, everything’s a nail”.
I think it can be very healing to talk in honest terms with your cat. I had a cry moment the other day when I just broke down and told Samba how sorry I was that I had to do this to her, and that I didn’t want to have to make that choice for her even thought I thought it was the best choice. I felt better after that, and she took it well. 🙂
Mona, you rock. You are not stopping anytime soon.
Thanks for looking through blogs for me. I tried searching on forums but it was too cumbersome and I could only find stuff on dogs.
I’m sorry Grace I was so hoping this surgery was enough! We did not have to do chemo, we got huge margins, and Purrkins was a low-grade STS.
I would do some research and ask questions see what you can find to make you comfortable with the decision going forward. Here are some great articles. Check these out and Ask you Onco questions on why he feels chemo rather than radiation?
INJECTION SITE-ASSOCIATED SARCOMA IN THE CAT Treatment recommendations and results to date
http://downloads.tripawds.com/files/2018/03/injectionsite-asssarcoma.pdf
Feline Injection Site Sarcoma
http://downloads.tripawds.com/files/2018/03/Feline-ISS.pd
What I know is chemo does not affect our animals like it does humans and if it did not agree with Samba you could stop anytime. Also, you can get assistance with cost from the vaccine company for her treatments. I hope they have discussed this with you? Not sure what they give but it is worth looking into ask your vet on how to proceed.
I know we had a couple of members do chemo Jill and Fredo, but they were not ISS? I don’t recall off hand what they used will see what Kerren and I can find. I will be spammed for this many links as usual, so I don’t want to add even more;) I will come back when I see what they used if it useful for you/
Samba looks great!
Big Hugs! Holly & Purrkins❤️
Thank you so much for sending those articles; I will definitely read them! And thanks for helping look through the records for fellow friends who may have been through this!
I forgot the f on the pdf this one will work.
Feline Injection Site Sarcoma
http://downloads.tripawds.com/files/2018/03/Feline-ISS.pdf
❤️
My previous comment went to spam or needs to be moderated. Two links and spam! I’m sorry, not sure how else to give you the info.
Scratches to Samba
❤️
I read it on my e-mail but forgot to approve it; sorry! I am still getting the hang of the website! Wish there were a way to change the settings permanently.
Casey took Carboplatin for his osteosarcoma, and Jet (Both goldens) is taking Doxorubicin for subcutaneous hemangiosarcoma. Jet’s tumor was woven into his muscle tissue and his margins were not clean.
All od our critters are different of course, but Jet has struggled some from the Doxo. It causes nausea/digestive disorders such that he loses his appetite for about four days starting on day three after an injection. Anti nausea meds help. The administration is also more involved than with the Carboplatin as it requires administration with concurrent IV drip.
Regardless, especially in that Jet’s margins were dirty and hemangio is extremely aggressive, he’s doing great 10+ weeks post surgery. He’s also on mushroom therapy with Turkey Tail mushroom powder and K9 Immunity Plus.
So . . . Doxorubicin is a little “harsh”, but it’s fought back against a very aggressive cancer. I’d use it again.
Thank you so much, tlahaye, for sharing your experience. I am really sorry you have had to go through cancer with both of your pups. That’s helpful to hear how you have coped and wonderful news that it is helping Jet beat his cancer!
Most animals tolerate chemo pretty well. Yes, Doxo is a bit harsher, but the oncos keep the animals’ quality of life as #1 priority, so if she does show side effects they can tailor it more to her needs and tolerance levels.
One more thing for you to read about chemo and kitties:
http://tripawds.com/2017/09/06/cat-cancer-oncology/
Thanks, Jerry. That’s a good point about not being locked in to a treatment if it proves to be intolerable. I will definitely read your article! You are such a wealth of resources!
These are the 2 kitties I know did chemo.
This is Jill’s blog I narrowed it down, so you don’t have to read all thru with the entire blog with the search Doxorubicin
They alternated Carboplatin and Doxorubicin
This is Fredo’s blog I did the same thing searched Doxorubicin
http://alfredo.tripawds.com/?s=Doxorubicin+
Those are the two kitties that I know of maybe Kerren remembers someone I don’t.
Hope that helps some I know loads of info.
Hugs!
Thank you so much! I read all about both Fredo and Jill and feel like I know them and their mommies now! Neither of their situations were exactly like mine, but it still helped to see what they went through. Fredo had a sarcoma in the toe (not sure what kind but presumably not ISS since toes don’t get injected). Treated at first w/ toe removal and then spread up the lymph nodes in the leg, leading to amputation. He did chemo, led a good life for 2 years, then progressed to develop lung mets and failure to thrive and passed away. Jill had an osteosarcoma, also of the toe, followed by amputation and chemo, and seemingly still doing well three years later.
Jill’s link
http://jillsjourney.tripawds.com/?s=+Doxorubicin
I haven’t found the blog I thought may exist. Since you have a medical background I think you can face the facts about VAS. It’s a monster and I know many vets are distressed that a vaccine they gave a cat, to protect the cat, caused cancer. The cancer sends out tenticles and although it looks like the margins are clean, sometimes a tumour pops up elsewhere and it can be years later. I’ve even read that an initial surgery to biopsy or even attempt to remove the tumour can give it life and it secretively spreads (those are my unscientific words).
I was a member of a VAS bulletin board where there are many with VAS knowledge and treatments. You might want to post your questions about chemo at that site: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Feline_VAS_Support/info
At that site you’ll learn that some chose no further treatment and their cats lived many more years. One woman decided to do radiation only if the cancer recurred. After 5 years the cancer did not return and the cat died at 16 years and not from cancer.
Although my vet and I believe Mona is cancer free, I still massage her regularly and check for lumps. I had a scare once and ran to the vet with her and it was a wart or mole. Their skin can have some imperfections too.
Please keep in touch with us here and know you will be welcomed at the VAS bulletin board.
By the way, I love Samba’s photos – she could care less about her life-saving scar! Wear it with pride Samba. You are strong and beautiful!
Hugs for you Grace.
Kerren
Thank you, Kerren, for sharing about that bulletin board. What a world of information can open up within such a specific topic! I think at this moment my husband and I are resting in the good chances we have attained with the surgery, and are leaving the future of the cancer up to the good Lord. I definitely want to be vigilant about the site and check it like you have been doing. Are you getting or did you get regular x-rays also?
You are so sweet to compliment Samba’s scar. She is taking it all in her new 3-legged stride! I appreciate your hugs and the support!
Sincerely,
Grace and Samba
Hi Grace and Samba,
We have been thinking of you. I hope you were able to decide on a path forward.
Cancer has zero rules hold onto that on a pawsitive note! Some win this war some don’t! Most win by extra pain-free time however long we are blessed to have! All we can do is our best for our kitties Whatever we believe in our hearts is right to fight this. You already have and whatever is next all out of love for Samba! Treatments or no treatments! You know what is best for Samba.
Margins small or large Samba doesn’t know doesnt care she is out of pain hopping on!
Hugs
Holly & Purrkins ❤️
Dear Holly,
Your note made me smile. We are feeling pawsitive about Samba, who has been able to beat every health threat that has come her way up until now! And yet if this is the thing that gets her in the end, we know she will have lived out her days in dignity and with a good fight! Thank you for acknowledging our love for Samba and the reality of Samba’s blissful ignorance about the whole thing, the importance of getting her past her pain, and of enjoying every bit of time that we are given!
Humbly,
Grace and Samba