Sangria got her liver lobectomy. Pathology came back as biliary cancer. Need advice.

[FrothOnTheDaydream]

Our vet referred Sangria (female 12-year-old persian) to a specialist hospital because she palpated a mass. Ultrasound imaging showed a large, singular mass attached to her liver by a finger-like strip of tissue. We opted for surgical removal with the specialist and analysis of the mass.

Surgery was expensive, but she is recovering beautifully! We are 8 days post surgery now. Pathology came back yesterday and the oncologist called me. He said that it came back as a bile duct carcinoma. However, the surgeon also took some healthy liver tissue and the margins are great. They removed all of it! He said no further treatment is necessary right now and also that the pathology came back saying that although this cancer is usually very aggressive, it showed a slightly lower risk of spread than normally seen. He said no further treatment is needed, but a follow-up ultrasound in 3-4 months is recommended to see if things are still on the right path. There is no spread based on imaging and pathology.

Well, stupid me decided to look at Google. It says that the prognosis for biliary duct cancer in cats is extremely poor even WITH complete removal of the tumour and no spread in the body. It says most cats like a month or two post diagnosis.

I'm freaking out. Has anyone had a cat with primary biliary duct carcinoma? Please help. I've Googled this to death!

 

[4theloveofcats]

Prognosis is not poor with successful surgery like your kitteh's ws. Postoperative survival times average at least 2-3 years. As your kitteh is already 12 that would end up being a decent life span. Were you on actual medical journal sites? Wagwalking/petmd are garbage IMHO.

 

[FrothOnTheDaydream]

Prognosis is not poor with successful surgery like your kitteh's ws. Postoperative survival times average at least 2-3 years. As your kitteh is already 12 that would end up being a decent life span. Were you on actual medical journal sites? Wagwalking/petmd are garbage IMHO.

Those survival times are for the biliary duct carcinoma? I know the hepatocellular carcinoma has a better chance at survival. I did read wagwalking and petmd, and I did take a look at some medical journal sites but they mostly discussed biliary carcinoma that had spread or that had a diffuse or nodular presentation. Sangria's was a massive presentation which is what made it so easy to remove.

Thank you!

 

[4theloveofcats]

Yup, I'd stop and pull some links, but I'm running around trying to prep for ferals to stay warm during impending "historic" cold snap at the same time my own heat just broke down, but yes survival rates are quite decent for a cat in Sangria's situation. Massive is a good thing in this situation. http://vetfolio-vetstreet.s3.amazon...e7edb49569fd0b1c23d81757d/filePV_26_01_50.pdf

 

[FrothOnTheDaydream]

Yup, I'd stop and pull some links, but I'm running around trying to prep for ferals to stay warm during impending "historic" cold snap at the same time my own heat just broke down, but yes survival rates are quite decent for a cat in Sangria's situation. Massive is a good thing in this situation. http://vetfolio-vetstreet.s3.amazon...e7edb49569fd0b1c23d81757d/filePV_26_01_50.pdf

Thank you! I had read that one and it said that prognosis is poor for liver lobectomy in the case of bile duct carcinoma (very hepatocellular) and survival time averages 6 months due to recurrence and/or mets.

I'll do some more digging. I appreciate your time!

 

[4theloveofcats]

Thank you! I had read that one and it said that prognosis is poor for liver lobectomy in the case of bile duct carcinoma (very hepatocellular) and survival time averages 6 months due to recurrence and/or mets.

I'll do some more digging. I appreciate your time!

I love doggos, but cats get only a tiny percentage of research money spent on done on them compared to canines. I went through something really horrifying with a beloved pet earlier this year and it was all because the research money was not being spent to study and offers possible cures.
If I make a ton of money in the future I am funding a bunch of research on cat health and biology.
Good luck!