Spindle Cell Tumour Consistent With Soft Tissue Sarcoma

[Guest amberj002]

continued prayers and healing thoughts!

 

[Rickiesmom]

Thanks everyone for the good thoughts and prayers for Rickie. He had a pretty good night.

 

Because the original traditional bandage kept slipping down they put on a big "bandaid" made by 3M that looks like plastic wrap but breathes and keeps things clean. This turned out to be a good thing because this morning I could see the incision had wept a little so we went in for a bandage change. They said once the area was cleaned up the incision looked good and should have no further issue. They put a conventional bandage back on, hoping it would stay put for 24h. Unfortunately I think it's starting to come down. I have one of the 3M bandages as backup.

 

He's still content to rest a lot which is good - the dining room has been gated off and the furniture pushed out of the way - it's his ward - this way he is safe but can be where the action is. I am sleeping down there with him (on the upside, the kitchen (coffee) is right there).

 

The vet said the path report should be back on Tuesday. Per my earlier post he's not optimistic the margins will be clean, but I am still praying for that.

Edited June 29, 2007 by Rickiesmom

[Rickiesmom]

The pathology report came back. It is inconclusive because the tumour separated from the rest of the tissue and that remaining tissue sort of congealed is the way my vet described it. So as I understand it, the lab determined there were cancer cells in the remaining tissue but they cannot tell if they were at the margins.

 

There are no words to express the frustration I feel at this result but there is nothing to be done about it. So, having discussed next steps with my vet we will do nothing for now. He felt that radiation is not warranted based on the possibility of return, and the very low rate of metastasis of this type of cancer. He said there would be enough skin and tissue to do another surgery if required.

 

What he suggested if it does return, is that the surgery could be done in a specialty centre where, in addition to removing the tumour, they can do other procedures in concert with the surgery to diminish the chance of return. Definitely if it comes back, we are going to deal with an oncology specialist. I am kicking myself for not requesting that route in the first place. It’s rotten to learn lessons at your dog’s expense.

 

Many people responded to my initial request for information, and their experiences with returns varied based of course on margins, but without clean margins, ranged from 9 months at the low end (scary) to a few years at the upper end.

 

One person, and I will follow up further with them directly, recommended some natural preventatives and that appeals to me. In conjunction with their suggestions, I will also consult a vet who does alternative as well as conventional therapies – he’s very well respected and has helped me before with other issues.

 

So where does this leave us: relieved on the one hand, that at the moment all we have to do is complete the healing from this surgery, and that is going very well. And vigilant going forward – we’ll be watching for a return and will deal with it immediately with a specialist.

 

As cancers go I know we are lucky to have one that tends to remain local, and Rickie, bless his little whippie heart, have been a trouper through all his health challenges including this one. I love him so much.

 

Thank you again for your prayers and support during this time.

 

On a somewhat side note: it may take me awhile to do this, but I am going to try and summarize the information I received from people who posted or contacted me directly and I will post that in due course.

 

[Guest Kpparker]

Hey Mary,

That is fustrating that there were no conclusive results from the report. I think that's a great idea to do some preventative naturopathic measures and hopefully that'll be the last of tumors in Rickie. If it does return then seeing an oncologist would be the way to go, but I'll be praying that Rickie doesn't have to deal with this again.

 

Hugs for all you guys

Edited July 3, 2007 by Kpparker

[HopeForHounds]

Mary, I have sat where you are. Not knowing when or if the tumor will return is a killer. BUT...................the risk of any problems is lower than with many other cancers. There are treatment options. One that Dr Couto offered us is an injection of chemo mixed with sesame oil right at the removal site. It is done under sedation, but has excellent results. Let me know if you need more info, you have my email addy.

 

Right now concentrate on Rickie healing and life as normal, because it really is. Do regular checks on his leg for regrowth. I used to do this a lot, and no I won't tell you how many times a day Eventually you'll only check once a month or so. Believe it or not I don't even do that so much. On the 29th we will be at the 3 year mark, that is after I was told 70 % chance or return in the first 3 months. Yes, we are lucky, yes we say thanks everyday. I'm praying you will too.

[kjw]

I don't know how I missed this post, but belated hugs for what you're going through with Rickie. I have no experience to share.

 

For bandaging, I do know that Batmom's leggings have saved me some grief with rear leg injuries.

[2hounds]

 

I am here if you need me, I am sorry that the news wasn't perfect, but keep thinking positive that they got it all and the cells they saw were at the margin.

[patricia]

Sending prayers that this will be the end of it and that it does not come back.

[Guest tampagreymom]

Mary, I can imagine how the inconclusive path report can be frustrating for you. I also pray that it never returns and like Foxysmom said, you will proabably find yourself checking Rickie all the time at first as I did with my girl after her surgery. It has become less often that I check her but I always have that worry that it will return. Glad you got some responses from this board about natural preventatives and therapies-that is what is greyt about this site-you find people that have gone through similar things. All the best thoughts to you and Rickie.

[Guest mleg2001]

Prayers that surgery was successful, very frustrating not knowing for sure

[CleosMom]

You must be feeling so frustrated with inconclusive results but it seems you've got a good plan to move forward with.

 

If I can do anything to help you and Vikas, please let me know.

[Guest Winterwish]

Sending get well wishes to Rickie!

 

Foxysmom is so right,live your lives normally because unless a growth returns,your lives are on their way to returning to normal.

Were they able to give you the stage it was at? They should be able to determine that whether or not the margins are clearly defined. This will also help you know,or at the very least,be able to predict the chances of progression,if there will be any at all even.

 

But I do get the feeling you have reason to remain optimistic. I hope you and Rickie have a good day today!

 

 

[JerseyGirlInOz]

Sending healing thought to your beautiful boy, and s to you. He sounds like a trooper, so I'm sure his will and your love and determination will get him through this!

[Rickiesmom]

We have now consulted a well-respected DVM who does alternative therapies, as well as an oncology specialist. Here are the results:

 

The alternate therapy recommendation is to supplement with Vitamin C with bioflavinoids, salmon oil, and a mixed mushroom extract. We will have a recheck in about one month, at which time some chinese herbs may be added.

 

On the oncology front, based on the pathology report, and the fact that the tumour is grade 1, the oncologist did not recommend radiation or chemotherapy at this time. The two options were to redo the surgery, or to monitor closely for return of the tumour before taking further action.

 

If we redid the surgery it would mean taking margins around the entire original surgical site - the incision is already about 3 inches long, so adding margins to that equals a huge amount of tissue in an area where, due to the first surgery, the skin is already tight. It would require a skin flap.

 

Given that the path report was inconclusive, so it is possible the margins were clean, and considering the magnitude of this second surgery, although it is the safer option, I cannot bring myself to put him through it.

 

We'll go with the wait-and-see option. It's a gamble, the tumour could return, and if it does so aggressively enough he could lose the leg - not easy for him since he has had partial carpal fusion in a front leg. And although this cancer tends not to be invasive, the chances of spread are not zero.

 

We'll monitor the area closely, have rechecks every 3 months, and deal with what comes, if and when.

 

In the meantime, the stitches are out, and Rickie is enjoying the freedom to move throughout the house again, including stairs, and to spend gradually increasing time offleash in the backyard - today he was so happy doing zoomies.............

 

Thank you all again for your suggestions, experiences and support as moved through this.

[Greytlady94]

I am so happy to hear that Rickie is enjoying his life, that is the most important thing. You have made a good decision for Rickie. Dogs live in the here and now, they know what is happening, and how they feel, this moment. They are blessed that they do not have to worry about what may or may not happen. Sending gentle ear scritches to Rickie.

[Neighsayer]

Hope your baby heals up soon.