:tears: :tears: sitting here crying, as my kitty cat, Emma, just diagnosed with fibrosarcoma cancer... :tears: :tears: The Vet says she can't do anything for her, but amputate her leg or let it take its course. We do not have any money for expensive surgery, so the Huz says we should let it go and keep her comfortable... :tears: :tears: I don't know what to do...
I'm so sorry that Emma has cancer. One of my kitties also developed that cancer, so I know how you feel, but she had the tumor between her shoulders that had metastasis to her lungs (according to my vet). It's really the "devil's choice" that you have to make. I'm afraid there are no real good options out there, even the evasive surgery will only buy her a bit more time. Either way your Emma may die. As the tumor in my Mittens was very aggressive, I had her euthanized to avoid any more pain for her.
I have researched cancer in cats and found that even if you do let the vet amputate her leg, the cancer may still come back in some cases.
What is really scary is that these types of cancer may develop because of the vaccines that are given to our pets.
Here is one article that may help with your decision (this one states that after an amputation, the cat can live a normal life):
Cancer in Cats: Fibrosarcoma
"...A diagnosis of fibrosarcoma is not an automatic death sentence for your cat; many cats live long and happy lives after the cancer is removed. But as with all cancers, it must be caught early and treated, or it could become life threatening. The chance of a fibrosarcoma spreading to the major organs is only 3%-5% if caught early. But if it goes untreated, that risk rises to 24%. Younger cats also stand a better chance of recovery than older ones..."
http://oldmaidcatlady.blogspot.com/2013/05/cancer-in-cats-fibrosarcoma.html
----
And this article says the prognosis of this cancer is bleak (even with surgery) and covers costs:
"Fibrosarcoma
"...Unfortunately, the prognosis for all fibrosarcoma patients is considered poor. Even with aggressive surgical and oncological intervention, over 70% of tumors recur within the first year...
The cost of initial diagnosis is typically less than $500. Further diagnostics to help define the extent of the tumor and its reveal anatomic limits can top $2,000. The cost of surgery itself will depend on the surgeons degree of specialization along with the size and anatomical location of the tumor(s) but $1,000 to $3,000 is most typical. Chemotherapy will typically add another $1K to $5K (depending on the protocol elected and the patients size) and radiation may range from $5K to $10K..."
http://www.embracepetinsurance.com/health/fibrosarcoma#sthash.Dg6WAlAj.dpuf
-----
This study/research done on 44 cats states seems to stress the size of the tumor in survival rates:
Prognosis after surgical excision of fibrosarcomas in cats.
"Abstract
Forty-four cats from which fibrosarcomas had been excised were studied for a minimum of 3 years, of until death. Two factors, tumor site and mitotic index, were found to be of prognostic significance, but tumor size, duration of growth, and histologic appearance were not. Following removal of fibrosarcomas from the pinna or flank in 6 cats, none died as a result of the tumor but 24 of 35 (70%) cats with fibrosarcoma in the skin of the head, back, or limbs were euthanatized because of local recurrence, usually within 9 months of surgery. The median survival time of cats with a tumor of mitotic index 6 or more in the head, back, or limbs was 16 weeks, compared with 128 weeks when the mitotic index was less than 6. Eleven percent of cats developed pulmonary metastases..."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/528318
--------------------
Here's an article on injection-site cancer:
"
Injection-Site Sarcoma (Vaccine-Site Sarcoma)
"...Despite the localized appearance of these tumors, microscopic branches of the tumor extend like fingers into the surrounding healthy tissue. During surgery to remove the tumor, these microscopic branches can remain and contribute to re-growth of the tumor. According to one study, as many as 62 percent of post-vaccinal sarcomas recur within 6 months after surgical removal....
http://www.petplace.com/cats/injection-site-sarcoma/page1.aspx
----------------------------
Anyway, only you will know what to do about your Emma and I know how hard that is.
Whatever decision you make will be the "right" decision, IMO, for your Emma and I can only hope for your peace with that decision.
Praying for you and your Emma. :twocents:
:blowkiss:
