Kirska

Lila was diagnosed this week with a highly malignant mast cell tumor. In one week it went from a ping pong sized bump to a bleeding mass that is literally taking over her entire back leg.

The oncologist did not initially find any evidence of spread to lymph nodes or organs so she has recommended we amputate her leg followed by chemo with Palladia.

Considering this is going to cost us more than the value of both of our cars combined, I'm interested to see if any basset lovers here have had any experience with this type of cancer before, or with rear leg amputation, or with Palladia.

I've heard many people skeptic that a basset will function as a tripod but she is thin and in good physical shape otherwise so I think she will adapt well.

She is also on prednisone, benadryl, pepcid AC, an anti-biotic and an anti-nausea appetite stimulating drug of some kind.

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Mom to Anabelle and Lila, rescued ladies and Harley, Corgi/Beagle/Basset/?? mutt

"Saving just one dog won't change the world, but it surely will change the world for that one dog." - Richard C. Call

Soundtrack

The missing back leg doesn't concern me, I think she'd manage just fine without it, especially since most of a Basset's weight is in the front end. Haven't dealt with mast cell, but I understand they can be fairly nasty so I'd want to think there was a reasonably good prognosis before putting the dog through the surgery.

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momofedee

Oh, poor Lila. I haven't dealt with illness, but just wanted to let you know you will be in our prayers.

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Edee--basset hound--age 5 ***rescue***
Domino--jack russell--age 3

Kirska

Without amputation the prognosis was bad because of the size of the tumor they didn't think radiation/chemo would kill it, but with amputation they were fairly confident they could get all of it, still pending the test results from the samples they took during the ultrasound. It is possible that she may have to stay on some drugs for the rest of her life to keep it from coming back, so how she reacts to them will be a big factor.

Basically the amputation should remove all macroscopic problems and the chemo should then hopefully remove any microscopic problems that may still exist in her system, is how I understand it.

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Mom to Anabelle and Lila, rescued ladies and Harley, Corgi/Beagle/Basset/?? mutt

"Saving just one dog won't change the world, but it surely will change the world for that one dog." - Richard C. Call

murraysmom

Good luck!

Wworm

Did they Stage & Grade it?

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Mikey T

I would get a second opninion on the radiation, following lumpectomy
. With grade 2-3 tumors that had not matatisize. New england Obological was having high 80 to low 90 remission rates.

Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs: some advances in conventional care

dreamons

Don't have any experience but will be praying for Lila and family.

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Maggie Mae- Basset
Daisy Wiggles- Basset
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Carly Ann - Toy Poodle
Copper -(Speed-bump) Basset Foster

Kirska

No they did not stage and grade it, though it is clear that it is malignant. I don't think they could get an accurate enough idea of the local tumor itself because her leg is so swollen. They did do an ultrasound and were very optimistic with the ultrasound results which is what led us to agree to treat it as opposed to put her down, however, we are still waiting on the test results for the samples they took. I currently don't intend to put her through the surgery if the results come back indicating it has spread already. However even if we do it and it comes back, we are now prepared and watching for it and she can be rid of the leg that's right now causing her a lot of pain.

There were three different specialists looking at her yesterday in addition to our normal vet before that, so I am fairly confident in what they were saying. We wouldn't be able to afford surgery, chemo, and radiation, regardless, not without me taking a second job. The oncologist was very clear that the chemo needs to be done regardless for a systematic therapy. It is something to consider, though.

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Mom to Anabelle and Lila, rescued ladies and Harley, Corgi/Beagle/Basset/?? mutt

"Saving just one dog won't change the world, but it surely will change the world for that one dog." - Richard C. Call

Mikey T

all mast cell cancer are malignant the only way to grade is after it is removed. Ideal they want to exercise the tumor with 3 cm a little over an inch of clear margin all the way round the tumor. obviously this is not alway possible.