Dog has GIST

My dog, Jake, was diagnosed with GIST (gastrointestinal stromal tumor) in August of 2008. Even though he was just hours away from passing away then, he came through with flying colors. I continued to do random ultrasounds every few months or whenever I thought he was acting not quite right. In May of 2009, an ultrasound showed that his cancer had returned, not as nasty as the first time, but back just the same. He went through another surgery to again remove the cancer. This time, when they went in, they found that it had spread about. There were 30-40 small cancer cells scattered about his abdomen. He handled that surgery great too. He is now on a chemo med called Gleevec/Veenat, 300mg a day. Jake's cancer is a very rare cancer in humans and even more rare in dogs. Therefore, I have little info to go on. Holistically or otherwise, do you have any suggestions as how to give him the best chance at a long(er) and happy life? Jake is my friend, my protector and my baby. All together I have 3 dogs, 5 cats and 2 small birds. Any thoughts you have will be appreciated.

[Jim Humphries, B.S., D.V.M.]

I am very sorry to hear this.  Cancer is a horrible disease whether in people or our pets.  25% of all pets over the age of 10 will die of some form of cancer.  

Actually, a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is one of the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract (1-3% of all gastrointestinal malignancies) in humans.  

I think it is simply underdiagnosed in veterinary medicine.  

As you probably know, once a cancer spreads in the abdomen it is not good.  So many vessels and lymphatics that spread can be fast and wide spread.  The chemo is the only thing that we know will try to slow the progression of the cancer.  

Beyond the surgery and the therapeutics you are giving, I do not know of other things that will direct you towards a cure.  There may be some holistic treatments that will help, but that is not my area of expertise.  

Perhaps another of our doctors will offer other ideas.  

I too have a German Shep and I understand the bond we have with these great dogs.  If it were me, I would do what is medically proven to help (chemo and supportive) and make Jake as comfortable as possible.  Palliative care is now more common in our pets and there is no reason you can't both treat with the chemo and supportive treatments, and make him comfortable.  See my blog on this topic.  

Good luck to you and keep us posted as to how Jake does.