Mast cell tumors-11.5 years Yorkshire Terrier-should we treat with Radiation?

[Leslynn]

My 11.5 year old Yorkshire Terrier had 3 mast cell tumors (all Grade 2) removed in late April. One of the mast cell tumors was on her front right ankle therefore it could not be completely excised and radiation is being recommended for that area. The other two tumors were removed with clean margins (so no further treatment recommended for those areas). The report reads for the ankle specimen that "individual and clusters of 2-3 mast cells extend to the deep section margin...." meaning dirty margins.

My questions are:
1. Should we wait and see what happens (instead of treating her ankle with radiation) given her history of multiple mast cell tumors, age, etc.?
2. If we do wait and a mast cell returns to that area is radiation still a good option to destroy the cancer activity there?
3. Are there holistic treatment options for her instead of radiation and if so, what are they?
4. If we choose radiation treatment, what are the pros/cons to this treatment especially with consideration to her age? ( Please note that I expect her to be sick a lot during the days of treatment as she has to be given anesthesia each day of radiation and she doesn't take particularly well to that.)
5. Are the possible negative side effects of radiation worth it given her age of 11.5 years?
6. What is her prognosis or potential life expectancy if we wait and see versus proceeding with radiation treatment?
7. Is there any correlation to the number of mast cell tumors and the cancer returning?

Out of her three tumor removals, her ankle took the longest time to heal and has only recently done so.  With it now healed,  we feel we should come to a decision of whether to wait and see or proceed with radiation treatment. I'd appreciate any feedback to help us with this difficult decision. Thank you!

[Leslynn]

Thank you so much for your reply. I have seen an oncologist but these questions came up after my initial visit. I will get in contact with him to further discuss.

Also thank you for your helpful link to find additional oncologists in our area.

[Kimberly Coyner, D.V.M., DACVD]

Those are all excellent questions. The best person to answer all the questions would be a veterinary oncologist, have you already had an oncology consultation yet? If not, I would recommend starting there, and they will give you the necessary information to make an educated choice about radiation therapy. You can find an oncologist in your area at www.acvim.org.