Prognosis for a cat with a tumour??

Question

Hi,
My cat who is 16 was at the vet today getting a tooth removed under sedation and local anesthetic and what I thought was an abcess is actually a tumour (not confirmed yet, biopsy results next week) but the vet can't treat it with steriods as my cats kidneys aren't great. I was just wondering if anything else can be done treatment wise, and will the tumour get any bigger? (its quite small just now) will he die because of this or is it manageable?? Anything that would help would be great, cheers x

Answer 1

My advice is to wait for the test results, if it is cancer you need to think whether it is worth putting him through chemo and/radiotherapy at 16, however the average of a cats life span is now 25yrs.

The thing to remember is that if it is in the mouth it may stop him from eating, drinking, grooming, and eventually breathing.

I have just put one of cats to sleep because of a tumour he had on his nose, he survived 2 1/2yrs after the diagnosis. Even though the tumour was benign it grew and it started to grow down into his soft palette.

All I can say is you know your cat better than anyone else, and he will let you know in his own way that you will recognise when he has had enough.

But also remember if it is a tumour it could easily be benign. Just follow your heart.

I wish you well, and I will be thinking of you. At this difficult time.

Answer 2

These are all questions your vet can answer for you - no one who hasn't seen the animal or the biopsy results can POSSIBLY give you a prognosis! It depends on where the tumour is, the type of tumour, it's progression, your cat's health, and a thousand other factors.

I know this isn't what you wanted to hear, but I'm just warning you before other people start saying 'don't worry my cat had that it'll be fine' or 'try this drug' etc - DO NOT take advice from anyone who hasn't examined the cat!!

Chalice

Answer 3

If the tumor is cancer, he may die, perhaps not immediately. If it is benign he could live with it. wait for the biopsy. The vet could also remove it, but you must ask what the vet thinks about it. As long as the cat looks fine, eats and drinks, let him enjoy his life. He is quite old, and things get difficult at this age, but I wish you and your cat the best!
Just so that you keep your hope, a lady I knew had a cat this age, who had many tumours at her breasts. they didn't even know if she would survive the surgery, because of her age, but finally she had the surgery and she is fine now!

Answer 4

unfortunately not a lot. i had a cat with a tumor on his gum he had it removed it grew back twice as big and red-it was small and black, he had half his jaw removed but died within a year but he was on steroids. sorry to hear the sad news at least he has had a long life, dont let it go on too long if it is cancer he had to be put to sleep in the end but the night before he ate a whole bird leaving just 1 feather!

Answer 5

Stacey -

I currently have a 17 yr old cat diagnosed with oral SCC in his jaw. I am on the Yahoo group "feline-cancer". There are currently six cats and three deceased from this aggressive cancer. It is not good news for you and you should join the group for your questions, treatment options, etc. if that turns out to be the diagnosis.

It wouldn't hurt to join right now. It takes about a day for "approval" and then you can put in a search there for jaw cancer or SCC and read what people are doing and how they are coping with this cancer for their cats.

Hopefully your cat's diagnois will turn out to be something more benign and it is easy to "unsubscibe" from a group if your cat does not have cancer.

Go to www.yahoogroups.com and put in "feline-cancer".

Answer 6

Don't worry they have nine lives