fibrosarcoma

[miakitty]

My cat was diagnosed with a fibrosarcoma tumor last spring (the kind of tumor that is believed to be from vaccine injections).  We decided not to do surgery becuase it was very invasive and did not have a high sucess rate.  The tumor's size is now bigger than a plum, but smaller than a baseball.  It is on her back, below her shoulderblade.  In the last 2 days, I've noticed that it has begun to open slightly - as if she has been itching it or it is beginning to "pop" through  (I haven't seen her itch it, but I am at work during the day).  It is not an open would yet - is there anything that you know I can do to prevent it from becoming one?  Is there any type of ointment I could but on it?  I'm kind of lost on this.  I know the vet said that if the tumor opens and becomes infected, she will need to be put asleep, but I want to put that off as long as possible since she still really enjoys life.  Thanks for your help.

[opus88]

jamie did kitty have his foot removed in the surgery?...poor baby, I'm so glad at least there were no cancer nodules seen, that is good news!! now we all have to work to keep him healthy.
just wanted to also mention that here on MedHelp there is a holistic care for pets forum, I don't know what all you can learn from this site but its worth a look...it also gives a listing of archives for further references...hope this helps.

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Cancer-in-Pets/show/376

♥Opus

[Jaimie_2000]

Yes we had to remove the leg as the tumor became infected. The Vet said removal at the elbow was too conservative so we removed the whole leg.  I am prayer the worst is over since the Vet didn't see any cancer nodules at the incision site. However I am getting mixed advice about how cancer spreads, my Vet say's it moves thru the bloodstream were as another Vet I consulted said it does not, that rather it speads like a root system till it reaches the lungs.  It has been 3 days since the surgery, Smokey is sleeping alot. She gets up to eat, drink, and visit the litter box then goes back to sleeping which could be anywhere so I don't sleep much in order to make sure it is not in the litterbox. She is wearing a vest (wrap) for 7 days then it will be removed. (I don't like wraps) then in 3 days after that she will get her stitches out. Thanks for the link I will look into it. I really appreciated all the help.

[opus88]

http://www.geocities.com/~kremersark/protocol.html

jamie, I'm happy to hear from you. this is a site that quotes medical journals. move the mouse around each diff. study and some will open up info others aren't very informative, I've tried to do some reading, perhaps you will do more research there?

one bit of info I did find says that Fibrosarcomas NOT associated with vaccines(spontaneously forming) do NOT appear to be as aggressive.

I will keep searching for info on how this tumor spreads.

Its good that Smokey is sleeping alot and eating drinking normally....poor little one.
I will update you as I find sites. ok

[opus88]

I will give you another site with info, hope all this reading helps.

http://www.vetinfo.com/cencyclopedia/cefibro.html

♥Opus

[opus88]

me again, gotta quit now but just wanted to send you a link to an interesting find...its for VAS Amputees..(vaccine associated sarcomas)....I know Smokies isn't vac related, but still same sarcoma, this will update you on how others who have had similar amputations and how they are making out...
♥Opus

[Nana997]

I am glad to hear your cat is doing better.  It's a shame they had to amputate the whole leg.  My vets oncologist partner told me that taking my boy's whole leg wouldn't guarantee it wouldn't come back elsewhere.  I hope it works out for you, I really do.  My boy had his toe removed and all surrounding tissue back in September 2008.  The cancer reappeared on his shoulder 11 months later.  In my case my vet was right, it still came back somewhere else.  I was told it was odd that it came back so far from the first site.  I guess that is why most feel the amputation is the way to go.
My boy had to be put down on August 12th.  He went very quickly and peacefully.
I wish you many more years with your cat.