Author Topic: Jake has soft tissue sarcoma - Great Lab Results!!  (Read 5708 times)

Offline Kay and Penny

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Re: Jake has soft tissue sarcoma - Great Lab Results!!
« Reply #27 on: June 19, 2013, 12:11:58 PM »
everything I know about hyperthyroid in cats I learnt from here http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/feline-hyperT/

I found it so useful to be able to discuss treatment with my vet with the group's experiences and advice behind me - my Trigger had radioactive iodine last October, but he was younger at 11, and had no other complications

I would urge you to get copies of all blood test results so you can share the results, and be able to compare them yourself - you've paid for them after all

good luck and cuddles for Jake
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Offline Nicola (RockysMum)

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Re: Jake has soft tissue sarcoma - Great Lab Results!!
« Reply #26 on: June 19, 2013, 11:43:22 AM »
urea readings can be high due to stress, especially if the creatine is within normal levels - his increased thyroid level will to some extent support declining kidney function, so should not be brought down to a really low level

you might want to discuss moving him from Vidalta to Felimazole, which is adminstered twice a day, and is easier to tweak to get the dosage just right

Thanks Kay, I read this before the vets last night and it was helpful. I ended up in the vets for an hour and a half so he could run another blood test. Jake's urea has crept up a bit more and unfortunately his creatin has also gone up, albeit it's just above normal. I wasn't surprised as he's been drinking huge amounts of water and peeing constantly.
So as well as the fortekor, we've now dropped his vidalta dosage to try and bring his Thyroid levels up a bit to help the kidney function.
His phosphorus and potassium levels were both normal which is good, but that's completely baffling the vet as the hind leg weakness would normally be associated with one of those.
He thinks it's possibly arthritis although jake shows no signs of pain. Normally, he would have tried him on metacam to see if it helped but with the kidney issue that's not an option.

He's told me to switch to renal food, I've tried two already and Jake's turned his nose up at both of course. :innocent: I've ordered a few different types to try but will switch him to senior until I (hopefully) find one he'll tolerate. I've read that it's the next best thing if they won't eat the renal food.
He'll get tested again next week so fingers crossed I can get his levels down - I can't help wondering if his levels have gone up because he's been getting spoiled with lots of prawns and chicken since his op. Obviously so much protein is difficult for his kidneys to process. We'll see what next week brings.

My boy is certainly going through the mill at the moment - hyperT, cancer, high blood pressure and now the kidney issues. I'm trying to learn as much as i can about all of it so the advice on here has really helped so far.

Thankfully he's eating really well and while I'm worried sick and on an emotional rollercoaster - he's completely oblivious and just very fed up with all these vet trips.

Offline Lyn (Slugsta)

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Re: Jake has soft tissue sarcoma - Great Lab Results!!
« Reply #25 on: June 18, 2013, 20:29:19 PM »
Woohoo for Jake!!  ;D

Offline Tiggy's Mum

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Re: Jake has soft tissue sarcoma - Great Lab Results!!
« Reply #24 on: June 18, 2013, 17:42:32 PM »
That's great news  ;D Go Jake!  :wow:

Offline Kay and Penny

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Re: Jake has soft tissue sarcoma - Great Lab Results!!
« Reply #23 on: June 18, 2013, 14:16:14 PM »
urea readings can be high due to stress, especially if the creatine is within normal levels - his increased thyroid level will to some extent support declining kidney function, so should not be brought down to a really low level

you might want to discuss moving him from Vidalta to Felimazole, which is adminstered twice a day, and is easier to tweak to get the dosage just right

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Offline Gill (sneakiefeline)

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Re: Jake has soft tissue sarcoma - Great Lab Results!!
« Reply #22 on: June 18, 2013, 13:58:06 PM »
Thats wonderful news and well done your vet  ;D ;D ;D

Sending gentle strokes to Jake

Offline Dawn F

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Re: Jake has soft tissue sarcoma - Op went well!!!!
« Reply #21 on: June 18, 2013, 10:42:34 AM »
Good news about the tumour!

Offline Nicola (RockysMum)

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Re: Jake has soft tissue sarcoma - great lab results
« Reply #20 on: June 18, 2013, 10:35:15 AM »
Thought I'd post a wee update on Jake.

He's doing very well, it's amazing how quickly he's recovered from the Op! He had his wound checked on Friday and it's healing really quickly. He's still eating really well and seems perfectly content (other than getting hacked off with the locked cat flap)

I also got the lab results back at the weekend and it's great news. They tested the margin of muscle and tissue that the vet removed around the tumour as well as some bone fragments and it was all cancer free. So my vet got it all out.  ;D

Obviously there's still a risk of recurrence, but all the signs are good and for now my boy is cancer free!

Unfortunately we still have the hyperthyroidism to contend with but he's doing fine on the vidalta. Also, his last bloods showed high urea levels - although his creatin was normal - so he's been of fortekor for the last week.

My vet didn't seem to think his kidney issues were at a serious stage but I have seen some weakness in his back legs over the past few weeks and it seemed a little worse yesterday, so I'm going to speak to the vet about that at my next appointment on Thursday.

Poor wee Jake, he's got a lot to contend with at the moment. He's been such a trooper through all of this. I just want to see him fully recovered and back to his old self


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Re: Jake has soft tissue sarcoma - Op went well!!!!
« Reply #19 on: June 12, 2013, 14:12:46 PM »
So pleased to hear how well he's doing so far. Fingers crossed the lab gets the results back to your vet quickly too.

Hope your other cat starts accepting Jake soon. We had a similar issue when Tess came back home after her I131 treatment but it did settle again quickly.

Re. Jake, if the void left by taking the mass & big margins is very big, it might be worth restricting his exercise a little bit to help things heal quicker & reduce the chance of a seroma forming. :-)

Offline Kay and Penny

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Re: Jake has soft tissue sarcoma - Op went well!!!!
« Reply #18 on: June 11, 2013, 22:10:16 PM »
so pleased to hear Jake has  cleared the first hurdle with room to spare, and is already home again
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Offline Gill (sneakiefeline)

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Re: Jake has soft tissue sarcoma - Op went well!!!!
« Reply #17 on: June 11, 2013, 21:44:48 PM »
I am so pleased the op went well and you have had some great advice.

Try rubing gently a damp cloth over your other cat and the onto Jake to transfer some smell........Jake will smell of vets and ops stuff right now.

Keep doing this intil everything calms dow,

Sending Jake loads of healing vibes and also these for you  :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

Offline Nicola (RockysMum)

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Re: Jake has soft tissue sarcoma - Op went well!!!!
« Reply #16 on: June 11, 2013, 19:50:00 PM »
Hurrah for Jake!  ;D

I remember when Chivvy came home after about 10 days at the vet's. He was not a pretty site with a shaved patch and big stitches where his leg used to be and he was very dribbly from his jaw (which had been broken in 2 places). His sister really didn't know what to make of him and she did try to usurp his position as topcat, but he soon put that right!  :) I'm sure your two will sort themselves out given a bit of time.

Thank you xx Hopefully Bailey will settle down. Jake ventured out of the bedroom earlier and as he passed Bailey, Bailey did this exaggerated sniffing and then started hissing & growling. He reacted like it was some random tom had wandered in!

I think it's because Jake must smell so different. Keeping them apart for now to be safe. But hopefully it will pass. Baileys always been a wee bully, but this was real aggression

Offline Lyn (Slugsta)

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Re: Jake has soft tissue sarcoma - Op went well!!!!
« Reply #15 on: June 11, 2013, 19:40:48 PM »
Hurrah for Jake!  ;D

I remember when Chivvy came home after about 10 days at the vet's. He was not a pretty site with a shaved patch and big stitches where his leg used to be and he was very dribbly from his jaw (which had been broken in 2 places). His sister really didn't know what to make of him and she did try to usurp his position as topcat, but he soon put that right!  :) I'm sure your two will sort themselves out given a bit of time.

Offline Nicola (RockysMum)

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Re: Jake has soft tissue sarcoma - looking for support
« Reply #14 on: June 11, 2013, 19:30:46 PM »
Aww. Thanks to all of you, you lovely lot x

Jake is now home, sprawled on my bed with a belly full of prawns, purring his heart out.

The op went really well, his heart was strong throughout and he was awake (and chewing his drip) in no time :innocent:

My vet is confident he got it all, he took a large margin of surrounding tissue as well. We'll know more once lab results are back.
He actually showed me the tumour  :sick: Think he was just pleased he'd got it all in one piece.
 
He looks better than I thought too, the wound is very neat with internal stitches.
So, he's cleared the 1st hurdle!! I'm just so relieved I can't describe it
Now I just need to deal with him howling at the cat flap for weeks. And the fact thatmy other boy is freaked out by him. Having to keep them seperate for now.

Offline Tiggy's Mum

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Re: Jake has soft tissue sarcoma - looking for support
« Reply #13 on: June 11, 2013, 18:13:39 PM »
Fingers crossed everything went smoothly for Jake today :care:

Offline CuteCats

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Re: Jake has soft tissue sarcoma - looking for support
« Reply #12 on: June 11, 2013, 16:08:04 PM »
Sending lots of good vibes.  :hug:

Offline Lyn (Slugsta)

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Re: Jake has soft tissue sarcoma - looking for support
« Reply #11 on: June 11, 2013, 15:02:14 PM »
Thinking of you and Jake today  :hug:

Offline Wiggins

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Re: Jake has soft tissue sarcoma - looking for support
« Reply #10 on: June 10, 2013, 23:09:56 PM »
I just replied to your PM but just wanted to post here too & wish you & Jake our best wishes for surgery tomorrow.

Lots of positive vibes being sent your way from me & my gang. xx

Offline CatGirl

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Re: Jake has soft tissue sarcoma - looking for support
« Reply #9 on: June 10, 2013, 12:32:53 PM »
Sending them as required,good luck for tomorrow. :hug: typing one handed,cat on lap.

Offline Nicola (RockysMum)

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Re: Jake has soft tissue sarcoma - looking for support
« Reply #8 on: June 10, 2013, 10:25:09 AM »
Thanks to everyone for posting. Jake's been fine over the weekend. he's completely oblivious to the fact there's anything wrong with him but I'm an emotional wreck.

I spoke to my vet again this morning about the different options. His opinion is that I’ve found the tumour really early while it’s still small. He was able to get his fingers underneath it easily and said that from the experience he’s had with these, it’s still small and it doesn’t seem to have taken root too deeply yet. That’s why he wants to do the surgery asap, and not give it the chance to progress further.

He has said he’ll be quite aggressive and will remove a large margin around the tumour to try and get rid of all of it. Once it’s removed they’ll biopsy it and we’ll know what stage it’s at.

At the moment, the primary worry for me is that Jake makes it through surgery. He’s recently been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and although his levels have gone back into the normal range, he hasn’t gained back the weight he lost yet and his urea levels were high on his last blood test so blood isn't pumping through his kidneys the way it should. We've just started him on meds for that but it makes the surgery even more risky. His creatin levels were fine, which is good, but obviously, with all that and the fact he's 14, I'm absolutely petrified at the thought of him being put under anesthetic

And he’s 14, so surgery would be a risk under normal circumstances.

Please all send healing thoughts and vibes for my boy tomorrow. I have no idea how I'll manage a day at work while he's in surgery, but I've booked the rest of the week off to be with him. he just needs to be the wee fighter I know he is and make it through his op

Nicola xx


Offline Wiggins

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Re: Jake has soft tissue sarcoma - looking for support
« Reply #7 on: June 09, 2013, 00:24:27 AM »
Hi Rocky's Mum.

I'm so sorry to hear about Jake. Kay who posted below & gave you the address for the VAS support group sent me an email alerting me to your thread on here as Wiggins & I do have experience of this. 

I hope it's okay to ask & I know you've said you trust your vet, but it isn't clear from the post how the lump has been diagnosed as a soft tissue sarcoma. I'm only asking as different types of tumours behave differently and the treatment can vary as well. 

Our experience was similar to yours thus far. Wiggins was vaccinated in the scruff in Jan 2005 but it wasn't until March of that year that I found a lump. Like you described, it just appeared overnight. Apparently, it is not uncommon for that to happen. We went to the vet the following day (not the one who had vaccinated Wiggins as I'd just moved) & he told me all about vaccine associated sarcoma and that he believed that was what Wiggins had. We talked about treatment & he said that these tumours were renowned for being invasive & aggressive so he recommended we go straight to see a specialist. I wasn't even aware that specialist vet treatment existed back then. I also joined the VAS support group on yahoo, who were great in terms of their knowledge and emotional support.

Wiggins was referred to a specialist referral centre where he saw an oncolgist and surgeon. They carried out a punch biopsy (fine needle aspirates are not recommended as they are not reliable for these tumours) & the biopsy came back with high grade fibrosarcoma. About as aggressive as it could get. We then did chest x-rays which thankfully showed no spread to his lungs. Due to the nature of fibrosarcoma, they recommended chemotherapy to try and reduce the tumour and give surgery the best chance. Fibrosarcomas are basically not just a mass, even though that is how it will feel to you & I. They have long tendrils, so minute that you couldn't see them even under a microscope, so certainly a surgeon wouldn't be able to.

Wiggins had 3 intravenous chemotherapy sessions with the chemotherapy drug epirubicin. These were given 3 weeks apart. Wiggins dealt with chemotherapy so well. He was very slightly off his food for half a day about 24 hours after the chemo each time but even though he didn't fancy cat food, a plate of prawns always tempted him. After the 3 chemo sessions, he had an MRI scan which gave the specialist soft tissue surgeon a really clear plan for his surgery. 

Wiggins came through the surgery really well and was up and about in his pen the same day. It's amazing really, if he was a human, I'm sure would have been laid up in hospital for so much longer. But then cats are amazing, and Wiggins so determined, bless him.

After his op, we had some complications in that the void left where the mass was taken was really quite big, & a seroma kept forming. In the end, he was sent home (to be on cage rest) with his drains in which I emptied and kept clean at home. The reason the void was so big is because the surgeon took both the initial mass plus a big area around it, to make sure they get those tendrils I mentioned earlier as well. It really surprised me how well he dealt with being home and crated, with me nursing him. I honestly wasn't sure how he'd deal with weeks in a crate but he surprised me. He knew it was best for him, I'm sure of it.

His surgery was supposed to be followed up with 3 further treatments of the same chemo, again 3 weeks apart. Unfortunately his kidney values weren't great on his pre-chemo  bloody just before the last session so the oncolgist advised to abandon it, which is what we did.

Anyway, I'm pleased to say that I still have my boy... 8 years on. I wouldn't say it's been easy. He has had two recurrences: July 2009, I find a tiny pea (petit pois) sized mass which we removed without any chemotherapy. Sadly, it was back within 18 months in Jan 2011. I truly believe that was a direct result of not having chemo for the previous recurrence. Epirubicin wasn't an option due to it knocking his kidneys the previous time. There were many discussions - with their new oncologist, new surgeon, previous oncolgist (who had moved on), the people on the Yahoo VAS support group, an oncologist in Edinburgh where they have the only veterinary PET scanner, plus a 2nd opinion from Noel Fitzpatrick (the new mass was more a a lumpyness on his shoulder blade than an actual mass/lump so I felt I needed to discuss everything which with Noel included a prosthetic blade though his first & preferred option was the same surgery the new specialist surgeon recommended).

Having two highly regarded specialists recommend the same operation made my mind up & Wiggins was booked in for scan & surgery before I'd even left the car park after his 2nd opinion appointment.Surgery went well -a partial scapulectomy, tissue removed plus spinal processes in the middle. He was sent home on cage rest, again with drains & again dealt with it perfectly. As he couldn't have the epirubicin again, we opted for part of an anti-angiogenic chemo routine. This approach uses an anti-inflammatory (metacam) and a low dose oral chemo tablet (either cyclophosphamide or chlorambucil - we used the latter). This approach basically aims to prevent the cancer cells/spindles from getting access to a blood supply. Without that, they can't grow or multiply. It's a relatively new approach but there are studies showing promising results. Unfortunately Wiggins can't tolerate metacam (gives him GI bleeds), so we just used the chemo part which is obviously experimental. The approach can be used indefinitely but we trialled it for 3 months and so far (I hope) he is okay. I would never say he is cured but that's the same with any cancers. All I can say is so far, so good. Wiggins anatomy is no longer normal around the shoulder so it's really hard to monitor. If/when it comes back, we'll deal with it as best we can. Wiggins deserves that. He's a fighter so I fight for him. He's one very special kitty.

Anyway, that's our story. I hope it's of some help. The chemo Wiggins had is not the only approach. In the States, rafiotherapy is more common & more available although there are more centres opening here. There are also other chemo drugs such as lomustine being trialled.

 If you want to email me, please post & I'll see if I can PM you my email address. My advice at the moment will probably sound scary, but if at all possible (& finances/insurance will play a huge part), explore the possibility of getting a referral to a specialist referral hospital. I'm happy to let you know which oncologists we've seen (there's been a fair few over the years) but our surgeons are now in New Zealand & France. If it's not an option, then have your vet at least discuss Jake's case with an oncolgist & specialist surgeon who will be able to share their experience & recommend a treatment plan. In our experience, they usually offer services like that without charge.

Best wishes to you & Jake. xxx

Offline Sue P (Paddysmum)

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Re: Jake has soft tissue sarcoma - looking for support
« Reply #6 on: June 08, 2013, 07:40:45 AM »
Am so very sorry you've had such worrying News about Jake.  I have no experience of this condition but sending every positive thought for Tuesday's surgery, that Jake will make a good recovery and that you'll have many years to share together yet.   :hug:

Offline Gill (sneakiefeline)

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Re: Jake has soft tissue sarcoma - looking for support
« Reply #5 on: June 07, 2013, 18:05:38 PM »
I am so sorry to hear this and hope the op goes very well  :hug: :hug:

Not sure I agree about removing the thyroid at same time, cats have two but this is definately something to discuss with your vet before next Tuesday.

Offline Tiggy's Mum

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Re: Jake has soft tissue sarcoma - looking for support
« Reply #4 on: June 07, 2013, 16:01:47 PM »
Sorry to hear this, must be such a worry for you  :hug: Have everything crossed that things go smoothly for him on Tuesday. It may not be possible but is it worth asking the vet to remove the thyroid whilst he's having the op so that would be one less thing to worry about?

We have a member on here whose cat had the operation, I will PM her to pint her in the direction of this thread  :hug:

Offline Kay and Penny

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Re: Jake has soft tissue sarcoma - looking for support
« Reply #3 on: June 07, 2013, 15:38:16 PM »
there is someone on CatChat whose cat was successfully operated on for vaccine induced sarcoma, but she doesn't post that often

and as this nasty condition is more common in the States, I suspect the http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Feline_VAS_Support/ will be able to offer you more advice than Purrs
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Offline Lyn (Slugsta)

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Re: Jake has soft tissue sarcoma - looking for support
« Reply #2 on: June 07, 2013, 15:23:38 PM »
Sending lots of  :hug: for you and Jake.

Offline Nicola (RockysMum)

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Jake has soft tissue sarcoma - Great Lab Results!!
« Reply #1 on: June 07, 2013, 12:41:32 PM »
I’m really hoping someone on here might be able to share their experience with soft tissue sarcoma. My boy Jake is almost 14 and has recently been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism which is just starting to come under control with meds. But, last night I discovered a hard lump between his shoulder blades. It’s like it appeared overnight. I knew instantly that it was something to worry about.

He saw the vet this morning who has confirmed that it’s a soft tissue sarcoma, possibly vaccine related. he said the positives are that it's small, movable and that hopefully I've caught it early. But he has warned me about the high recurrence rate. I’m devastated and just worried sick.

I’ve been with my vet for years and really trust him and he has said that he wants to remove the lump ASAP. Because of Jake’s age and his hyperthyroidism the surgery is more of a risk than normal, but there really isn’t another option.

He’s going through surgery on Tuesday. If any of you have any experience of this with your babies can you please share? Especially if it’s a positive one!
Everything I’ve read so far on line doesn’t give me much hope.

« Last Edit: June 18, 2013, 12:04:36 PM by RockysMum »

 


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