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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