Histiocytic sarcoma treatment

Background:  A very large and visibly noticable lump on my dog's neck was diagnosed through a biopsy as a histiocytic sarcoma in mid-October.  Because of the location of the tumor, the vet said it was too risky to surgically excise. The prognosis from the vet and an veterinary oncologist was that the cancer is terminal and the oncologist estimated the dog (Fin) would live approximately 6 to 8 weeks without chemo treatment and maybe 3 to 6 months with treatment.  To give Fin the best quality of life for the short time remaining, I chose not to treat him other than 50 mg of Rimadyl twice a day to reduce very significant inflammation that was inhibiting his breathing.  The Rimadyl treatment has worked very well.

Current Status:  Fin shows no outward signs whatsoever of the cancer or being ill.  The mass in Fin's neck has seemed to go to nothing to me but the vet says he can still feel it and I believe him.  I hike with Fin every day (now in deep snow), twice a day for four to five miles and he's looking for action between sessions and in the evening.  His routine and habits are unchanged.  He is outwardly happy and playful.  He has gained about 4 lbs to 72 lbs because I've added treats to his diet expecting him to be gone by now.  Recently, I've backed off on some of the treats.

Is it reasonable for Fin to have survived so long and in such good (outward) condition with an untreated histiocytic sarcoma?  Or are we just lucky that Fin has had a few more months of good health than would be expected?  Other than another biopsy, which I prefer not to put Fin through, what is the next best method of confirming if he has the sarcoma or not?  By the way, the vets have been great.  I have no issues with them but I want to be sure I have as much information as possible and am making the right decisions for Fin.

Thank you,

Dan

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

I am sorry about your dog's disease.  

Biopsy is the only definitive way to diagnose this cancer.  MRI, Ultrasound and other diagnostic procedures would still have to be confirmed with biopsy.

Some cancers go into remission for no known reason.  These are labeled as "miracles" and maybe you and your dog are lucky.  I sincerely, hope so!

There are many non-chemotherapy holistic treatments for cancer that are effective in some cases patients are worth a try.  If you are interested please google: PolyMVA, Essiac tea, Neoplasene or blood root extract, Hoxsey Formula, Medicinal Mushroom Extracts, Maqui berry and more.  The Chinese herbal formulas, which are available by prescription from your vet from Dr. Xie's Jing Tang Herbal are also helpful.  They are: Stasis Breaker, Max's Formula, and Wei Qi Booster.  A homemade diet consisting of high protein, and no starch or grains is also helpful since cancer lives best on carbohydrates.  If you are interested in the anticancer diet please post again and I will post a copy for you.

[FinsDan]

Thank you for your response and recommendations.  Perhaps our  dog, Fin, and we have simply been lucky.  I hope so.  Fin has been on a high protein, meat based, diet for a long time.  He gets almost no starch.  Though we put him on a meat based diet for different reasons, it is good to know that it is better for fighting cancer.  My wife and I are receptive to holistic and herbal remedies so we are interested in the rest of the details for an anticancer diet.  If you will please post a copy to me, I'd greatly appreciate it.  Thank you again for your help.

Best regards,

Dan