Question:

Mastectomy for feline breast cancer... your thoughts?

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My 10 year old cat was recently diagnosed with breast cancer (adenocarcinoma/cystadenocarcinoma, infiltrative), although I suspect she may have had it for almost 2 years (she was staying with a relative for a while, and I noticed the lumps when I got her back). Her chest x-rays were nice and clear, blood work was unremarkable, and she's acting completely normal. I brought her to an oncologist who recommended chemotherapy every 4 weeks (she's already had her first dose, the drug is Carboplatin, she tolerated it completely, no side effects) and also a radical bilateral mastectomy. There's no way to know if she has months or years left right now. I brought her for a surgical consult (we started chemo before the surgery because her appointment with the surgeon was weeks away, and we are still trying to come up with the money) and the surgeon said that even with the mastectomy, the cancer could return on her vascular wall.

I'm torn. Should I put her through the surgery? Has anyone heard of just treating with chemo and no surgery? Or should I just do nothing and let nature takes it's terrible course? I want to do everything I can to help her live as long as possible with the best quality of life. Any advice that you may have would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much for your time.

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  1. I gave you the links to 2 questions similar to yours, I am very sorry that you and your cat are going through this. Happened to me!

    http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/ind...

    http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/ind...

    I know that you love your cat and you will do the right thing! I wish you the best of luck! God Bless!


  2. Feline mammary cancer is NASTY.

    Personally I would get the mammary strip and see how she goes. Can't really comment on chemo, it depends on the case as to whether it will improve quality of life.

    Is she not spayed?

    Chalice

  3. My sister had the surgery done on her cat-it cost 1500.00 and the cat lived 3 more years in good health and could have lived more I'm sure but sadly she was killed by a dog.  If you can afford it, go for it.

  4. I have been a member of the Yahoo group:  feline-cancer for two years now.  It seems that the mammary cancer has good survival rates with surgery and chemo.  I strongly suggest you join the group to get the support you need and also good information from people who have cats with that cancer.

    I actually lost my 12 year old neutered MALE cat from mammary cancer just four years ago.  By the time his was discovered the cancer had already metastisized to his lungs.

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