Sophie has been my girl since she was 1 week old. She is now 6.5 years old. I felt a large lump on her front left shoulder on 9/29/13. She was seen by her vet the following day which is when we quickly learned about Fibrosarcoma. She had a biopsy on 10/14/13 which confirmed Fibrosarcoma. The chest x-ray performed the morning of the biopsy was normal and did not show signs of metastases. They are unsure if it is an injection site Fibrosarcoma because they did not begin keeping record of injection sites until about 1 year ago. The vet said injections/vaccines are not given in the front left limb but whose to say one was not given there in the past. Sophie had her front limb and scapula amputated on 10/28/13. The chest x-ray was normal the morning of surgery and still no sign of metastases. She is taking Gabapentin to help nerve pain and has been doing well living life as a Tripaw. On 11/5/13, we learned that the histology report showed dirty margins from the amputation (which means some cancer cells are still in her). The metasis rate is 17% (which is high). According to the surgeon, he got it all and there is no way any tumor was left behind. Apparently, the surgeon had to cut the amputated limb in 2 areas to fit the limb in the jar to be transported to the lab. The surgeon feels the histology report is incorrect and he is confident that he took wide enough margins to assure no cancer cells were left behind. The surgeon suggest that we wait and see if the tumor comes back then go from there. Based on the research I have done, treatment the second time around is rarely successful, the tumor comes back much more aggressive and spread more quickly. Our vet sent the results to a local Oncologist and they said our options are radiation or wait and see. Our vet was unable to tell us what she would do if it was her own cat because she honestly did not know what to do in our case. We sent the lab results to a close friend that lives out of state and is a vet. Our friend said Fibrosarcomas are very difficult to completely remove by surgery because they have microscopic tentacles that the surgeon cannot see (hence the importance of wide margins). She highly advised following up the surgery with radiation. Our problem with radiation is that the closest facility for radiation is at Ohio State University (over 2.5 hours away). We decided to take Sophie to OSU for a second opinion and to see if radiation was even an option (cost, time restraints, etc.). She had her stitches removed on 11/11/13. She was seen by an Oncologist and by Radiation Oncology at Ohio State University during her visit on 11/12/13. The Oncologist wanted to speak with the surgeon before making any recommendations. He said the steps our vet took were appropriate and would be the steps they would have taken as well. He was also impressed that the amputation was performed by a board certified surgeon (DACVS). He had us speak with a radiation oncologist who was able to tell us the treatment he would recommend if we decide to do radiation. He would want Sophie to undergo 19 radiation treatments which would cost $5000. Sophie would need to be asleep for each 15 minutes session which comes with risk. Radiation would be performed 4 days a week. Side effects from radiation typically include sunburn like-effect at radiation site and hair loss at the radiation site which will eventually regrow as a different color (probably gray/black). Since she will require radiation treatments daily, boarding her over night during the 4 weeks would be our only option. We have looked at our schedules and have no problem using our Marriott reward points to stay at a "pet-friendly" hotel in Columbus on weekends to see her if the Oncologist final recommendation is radiation.
Today (11/19/13), we finally heard back from the Oncologist. The Oncologist said he spoke with the surgeon and at this time he does not know what to say. He said that he is alway asked "what would you do if this was your cat" and for the first time he can not answer this question because he doesn't know what to do. Based on what he knows and everything he learned from the surgeon, he does not know what to suggest. He said we can never be certain that all the cancer cells were removed but at the same time do we do radiation on a tumor that may not even be there.
So my question for pet parents everywhere that have any experience with feline fibrosarcomas/amputations/dirty margins/radiation/reoccurrence/ etc. Based on your own personal experience with fibrosarcomas, is there anything you regret? Wish you did do? Did not do? My husband and I got married on 4/6/13. We are trying to keep the $$$ out of our decision since we are fortunate to have money from our wedding. Our greatest concern is Sophie and the quality of life she will have after going through radiation. Again, Sophie mastered being on 3 legs within the first week. Our understanding is that the cancer will reoccur within a few weeks if it is still present and she may be gone within 3 months. The thought of her being gone is devastating. We understand radiation only prolongs the inevitable and we would be hoping to gain an additional 2 years with radiation. The 2 years is worth every penny as long as she isn't in pain and she is my Sophie. Any pet parents have any experience with radiation? Our final biggest concern is Sophie being away for 4 weeks. It's one thing to go through radiation together but its another thing to have to go at it alone. I think this is our biggest challenge, not being able to bring her home after each session. She has our entire apartment to roam on her own, windows everywhere, and lives a happy kitty life. I can't imagine her being kept in a care for 4 weeks being handled by people that she does not know. We try not to play the "what it" card but its hard not to. What if something happens during a session and we are 2.5 hours away... will we regret it? What if radiation only allows her to live a few more months... will we regret not having those 4 weeks with her? Any advise would be greatly appreciated.