Intestinal Mast Cell Tumour

[Pete W]

Hi all,

We have just received biopsy results for our much loved 12 year old, male cat. Unfortunately they have come back as positive as a Mast Cell tumour in his intestines.

My local vet said this was rare and could potentially be cured by removal, assuming it hadn't spread. They wouldn't be able to tell us that until they operated.

Having heard this I was feeling slightly more positive than before as had been expecting a lymphoma diagnosis. However, Dr Google, as disreputable as he/she is, seems to suggest this is bad news and not something you should expect a cure for.

I know a lot depends on stage, location etc. And we are waiting on an oncologist appointment but may be limited by funds as to how far we can go down that route.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Should we just get the vet to whip it out asap or wait a couple of days and go down the oncologist route?

Any other comments welcome!

Thanks
Pete

 

[Antonio65]

Hi and welcome.
I'm sorry for your cat, it's such a sad news.

In my opinion, by what my experience has been, and in the best interest of the cat, I'd go for the opinion of an oncologist who is the only doctor that can give you a right perspective on the issue.
Though Dr Google is a great tool, sometimes it says everything and its contrary.

 

[Pete W]

Thanks for the reply Antonio.

We now have an appointment with the oncologist on Thursday so I am hoping that there will be some options.

If anyone has any experience dealing with this and/or treatment options I would be really keen to hear. There doesn't seem to be much info out there.

 

[FelisCatus]

I just went through/currently going through something very similar. I will add more notes later but for now spend as much time with them as you can....

 

[Pete W]

That doesn't sound good but I suppose it is what I am expecting (dreading).

It's hard to fully take on board though, he is absolutely fine at the moment, the only reason we noticed anything is because we moved recently and he has been using a litter tray. If we hadn't seen blood in his poop we would be none the wiser.

 

[FelisCatus]

I don’t want to make you feel bad, these are all personal experiences that me and my kitty cat went through from Mid-Nov to now.

-she was diagnosed with mammary cancer and we were told a radical chain mastectomy ($2500) would get rid of the tumor and all would be well. But before we do that we need to see an oncolgoist for a specialists opinion. I would gladly have done the radical chain mastectomy but found out there is no point.
-went to oncologist and found out the mammary cancer has metastasized and attacked her lungs. Was offered chemotherapy (only Palladia is approved in NA, most likely what you will get if you go the chemo route). Was told Palladia at least for mammary cancer that has metastasized has a 40% chance of working. It did not work and we were told the radical chain mastectomy is pointless as the tumor would just come back or her lungs would give out first.
-currently on a bunch of different antibiotics to fight infections in the mammary cancer tumor area since it opened. Also Metacam every other day as an anti-inflammatory drug.
-went to the vets yesterday, did new x-rays and her lungs are pretty much completely taken over by cancer. Was told we have a few days left at most and there is nothing we can do.

For the past ~2 months I have been crying and doing research non-stop to see if there is anything that can be done... but nope f* cancer.

Here are the past 3 threads I created, two asking for advice and the other about saying goodbye and how dead I am on the inside.

Urgent: Mammary Cancer Battle, Any Other Options?

Have You Ever Seen A Growth Like This Before (warning Gross Pic)

Nearing The End... Go Out With A Bang?

Your boy might be lucky and it hasn’t spread yet and it can be operated out... it might come back though which is where chemo would come into play.

We however are out of options and it looks like any day now I will need to put my precious family member down.... I am dead on the inside and can’t bring myself to make the appointment.

Wishing you both the best of luck.....

 

[FelisCatus]

Forgot to add, feel free to ask any specific questions if my previous threads did not answer them. I will try my best to give you an answer.

Also the ulcerating tumor is much bigger now as that was taken on Dec 31st.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. I will share these articles on intestinal mast cell tumors from the internet just in case you haven't seen them already. Your best bet is what you are doing, and that is seeing an oncologist. And, maybe some data in these articles will help you in determining what questions you want to ask.

Mast Cell Tumors Visceral
Part III: Intestinal Mast Cell Tumors in Cats - VCSS
A Case Report of Feline Intestinal Mast Cell Tumor - Hope Veterinary Specialists

 

[Pete W]

I don’t want to make you feel bad, these are all personal experiences that me and my kitty cat went through from Mid-Nov to now.

We however are out of options and it looks like any day now I will need to put my precious family member down.... I am dead on the inside and can’t bring myself to make the appointment.

Wishing you both the best of luck.....

I'm so sorry to hear about what you guys are going through. I realise there is very little I could possibly say that you haven't heard before or doesn't come across as a meaningless platitude but we really will be thinking of you as you go through this.

Your story reminded me of reading this article: My cat died, and it affected me as much as losing my dad as he says, grieving pets isn't good preparation for losing a relative, it is very much the real thing.

Wishing you all the best.

Pete

 

[Pete W]

Hi. I will share these articles on intestinal mast cell tumors from the internet just in case you haven't seen them already. Your best bet is what you are doing, and that is seeing an oncologist.

Thanks for taking the time to do that for me, it's a great community that you guys have here; I'm just sorry that I only just discovered it.

I have stumbled across most of these already and whilst they don't make for especially happy reading some do leave some room for hope.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Thanks for taking the time to do that for me, it's a great community that you guys have here; I'm just sorry that I only just discovered it.

I have stumbled across most of these already and whilst they don't make for especially happy reading some do leave some room for hope.

That's what I thought too.