Mast Cell Tumor help.. please?

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Callie'sMom

Boxer Pal
Hi again everyone,
I had several posts awhile back about getting a puppy of my own and those plans were put on hold while watching a friends 5 year old brindle girl because she had to go away for school related issues and couldn't take Lilly. I have had her all summer and quickly noticed a lump on her leg, my friend said it was nothing and she had it looked at,I said OK. It's rather small, maybe the size of a bottle cap. Right on the inside of the lower part of the thigh on her right leg. To make a long summer short I eventually look her to the vet.

It's a Mast Call Tumor and she will have it removed Monday, right now that's all we know and I'm terrified. For one I don't have a lot of money to spend and nor does my friend. I talked to her about keeping Lilly myself because she can't afford treatment and I can't afford it for a dog that's not even mine. After the removal I will have spent $700 already. the tumor will be sent to a cancer specialist and they will tell us where to go from there. I need your guys help in the meantime, I was hoping someone could tell me more what to expect and what they think.

Lilly is a 5 year old spayed Boxer from a petstore, she weighs 76 lbs and is only maybe 2 pounds over weight, the rest is muscle. She's very sweet, active, and playful. Shy but friendly with stranger and afraid of men, she also has a small heart murmur.

The tumor has been there since beginning of June or possible longer, apparently it appeared pretty much overnight and has not changed since then. The vet says it may be cancer in the lymhonoid because it's swollen and he will remove that when he removes the tumor. If it is in the lymphoid she will probably have to be put to sleep because it will have spread so fast. If it has already spread through out her leg then her leg will be amputated. But she is not acting sick at all so we are hoping it will jut be removed or even her whole leg, as long as we don't have to go through radiation. He said that could cost up to thousands and I can't afford that.

So from everyone else's experience what do you think? It's been there so long does that mean it probably spread? But she's healthy so it probably hasn't gone to other organs?

Thank you so much and help good or bad will help!
 
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mmichaelson

Banned
I'm so sorry that this is happening to your (almost) girl!! I don't know what to say - I'm a new mommy, so no advice here. But many (healing vibes) and well wishes are coming your way! Keep us posted on her condition!
 
BeckyNC

BeckyNC

Boxer Insane
Oh man. I'm so sorry to hear about your/Lilly's situation.

If the tumor has not changed much in size and Lilly seems otherwise healthy, that may be a sign that it's a slow growing tumor. That could be good news b/c it might not have spread and might be slow to spread. Did the vet do any lab work to check kidney and liver function, etc? This could provide a clue as to whether there is any involvement of the internal organs.

I don't know a lot about mast cell tumors, but it may be that with chemo, the cancer in the lymph system can be held at bay or eradicated. If money continues to be a problem, which I underdand, perhaps the vet will let your friend (or you) pay in installments. Also, if you have a local Boxer rescue, perhaps they can help you out.

Please keep us posted.

Becky
 
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Callie'sMom

Boxer Pal
BeckyNC, No bloodwork has been done yet but it will Monday when she goes in to have it removed. The vet thought it was odd that it's been there so long and she is other wise perfectly healthy, in fact since I got her she seems even healthier and more lively. So there's a good chance it is spreading slowly. But thankyou, anything positive is encouraging since I won't know anymore until Monday.

mmichaelson, Thank you. I'm hoping this will be over soon and she pulls through.
 
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magsp

Boxer Buddy
Two of my dogs have had mast cell tumors. One had a grade II and the other a grade I. Mast cell tumors have a tendency to be rather unpredictable. Some behave very aggressively and others are slow-growing and relatively benign in their behavior, but all are cancerous. The Grade I and Grade II's can be very treatable and curable when found and removed/treated early.

The most important things for you to ask about are: 1. what grade is the tumor (I is good, III is bad, and II is somewhere in between); 2. did the surgeon get "clean"margins (i.e. did cancerous cells extend to the edge of the area where they did surgery or not. If not, the margins are "clean"), 3. has the cancer spread (i.e. to local/regional lymph nodes, liver, spleen, etc.

Once you have answers to these questions, you can then proceed with treatment. Mast cell tumors are very sensitive to radiation. That is what we opted for our dog with the Grade II that was removed from his groin with dirty margins. However, there are chemotherapy protocols that have been shown to be rather effective. The best thing to do is to consult with a veterinary oncologist after the tumor is removed ... if you have one in your area.

My dogs are both about 2 years post-tumor and are doing just fine (no new tumors/no tumor regrowth at the original site) -- knock on wood. Keep us posted. I will be sending positive healing vibes your way. You are such a good person for taking such good care of your friend's dog. If she is smart, she'll give you that dog so that you can give it the love and proper care it needs.
 
Austin's Mom

Austin's Mom

Boxer Insane
My Austin had a grade 2 taken off of his front leg 3 years ago. He had clean margins (thank God) so there was no further treatment and fortunately no recurrance. Good luck with this baby, try to keep the faith that it is localized and she'll be ok.
 
C

Callie'sMom

Boxer Pal
Magsp, thank you for the info and sharing about your dogs, it's comforting. I'm calling the vet again in the morning to talk more about mast cell tumors in general because he already told me he won't know much more until Monday after it's removed. Then when it's sent in for the biopsy I'll go to a different clinic because they have a cancer specialist where if needed radiation will be done. But I'm keeping my finger crossed that it hasn't gone to grade 3 and that she won't lose her leg.

And it's good to hear your babies are still doing good!

Austin'sMom, I'm glad Austin is still doing good after surgery. Hopefully we'll have the same or similar outcome.

I'll definitely keep you guys posted! I really do appreciate the help and support.
 
N

nanabear

Banned
OK....I give.
Do a search for kate connick, mast cell tumors and you should come up with her website.
(What the heck!!!)
 
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