Know anything about malignant tumors?

[sharpcat]

Just took my dog to the vet today to have a lump on her leg checked out and it turns out it was a malignant tumor so we went ahead and removed the tumor.

Can these be successfully removed or is it too late?

The lump has been there for a month maybe 2 vet said we would get biopsy results back in 5 days will this tell us if it has spread or not?

I am just trying to figure out if and how much I should be concerned here and would appreciate any advice from anybody who is educated in this field.

[Brock Landers]

i know enough to know its something you don't want..

[BobHarvey]

I can't help either but you do have my best wishes.

[str]

What kind of dog? Certain breeds are more apt to get this than others.

[will2survive]

Animal rights rescuer here: BUT---this is all about if the tumor has spread--that's the key.Living beings survive malignant tumors as long as it hasn't spread to vital organs of the body whether it be animal or human---HANG IN THERE FRIEND

[sharpcat]

What kind of dog? Certain breeds are more apt to get this than others.

She is a pitbull.

If I understood correctly it seemed he knew for sure that it was malignant but sounded very optimistic about removing it because it was on her upper leg where he would be able to cut it all out and said that if it was on the lower leg he would not have been able to remove it completely.

I am just curious because I know that if it goes unnoticed for too long it can spread but I do not know how long is too long.

My vet is a relative so I would think he would have told me if I should be concerned or maybe he was just protecting me until he knows more.

[sharpcat]

Animal rights rescuer here: BUT---this is all about if the tumor has spread--that's the key.Living beings survive malignant tumors as long as it hasn't spread to vital organs of the body whether it be animal or human---HANG IN THERE FRIEND

Will the biopsy be able to tell me this? if not how do you find out if it has spread or not?

[Doc JS]

As W2W said, the question is:

Is the leg turmor the "primary" tumor or is it a metastasis from a remote site.

The pathology MAY tell you it's origin, but it doesnt always.

If its primary (and isolated), in theory, you can resect it for cure. If its a met, then you are talking about pallative therapy.

BOL for your pup! On our third and fourth daschaunds...love um!!

Doc

[mtneer1212]

Also key: How old is the dog? The survival rates for younger ones are much better......

[Doc JS]

Also key: How old is the dog? The survival rates for younger ones are much better......

Agreed!

Doc

[str]

I think that is a positive.Had a great Dane that got it in his knee joint and there was nothing left to do but wait for lameness( with all the pain meds we could provide )and put him down. WAS NOT about to put him thru all that needed to be done for 6 mo. to a year of suffering ( amputation).
If it was not in the joint , that is also good.I think but am not sure that the size of dog also comes into play. Check with your vet. Do not know the age of your dog ,nor the life expectancy,and that is a key to this, but sounds like you are in good hands. Would give an awful lot to be able to walk mine one more time, but , well, use this as the wake up call that it is, to go the extra step to enjoy a great companion.
No suffering on his/her part is a great day.Great time of year to enjoy the outdoors with pupper.Life is short....play hard, right?
Do check into the breed itself and see what is common and what is not in regards to cancer.
I wish you nothing but the best and will try to further help any way I can if I gain any insight.
All the best.

[brxbmbers42]

GL whatever happens sharpcat. Hope everything works out. Very tough thing to deal with when a family dog gets sick.

[str]

Agreed!

Doc

This is very true

[str]

Also key: How old is the dog? The survival rates for younger ones are much better......

Sorry, meant this.

[sharpcat]

She is probably about 8 but she is very healthy.

I appreciate everything guys she is my best friend and the greatest dog I have ever owned so I am hoping for the best here because I am not ready to let her go.

I guess we will just keep on keeping on and see where we end up.

[brxbmbers42]

GL. keep us updated. my dog is my best friend 2. i feel for u bro

[Dirty Sanchez]

She is probably about 8 but she is very healthy.

I appreciate everything guys she is my best friend and the greatest dog I have ever owned so I am hoping for the best here because I am not ready to let her go.

I guess we will just keep on keeping on and see where we end up.

Sharpie...not sure the biopsy would tell, but I know that my sisters dog had something of the sort and a malignant tumor grew pretty quickly. Normally the Vet told her after the surgery (that removed the tumor) if it had spread. Dogs can go through Chemo just like humans, it would all depend on the stage and how much, if any, the growth has spread. Vet's are pretty good at telling you the worth of going through the different processes, and if the dog is living in pain etc. In my sister's case the dog was older and the Vet was pretty professional in telling her the dog would be put through a lot. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you

[sharpcat]

Thoughtful support was not asked for but is very much appreciated thank you all for your help and support.

[will2survive]

you're welcome.Animals keep me going sometimes because I've dealt with "tumors".My parents died early and my mother's tumors spread(they were visible and it's engrained in my mind for life).They couldn't be contained.That's not always the case.Sometimes they're isolated and the cancer dosen't spread,which leads to recovery.Good luck,again.

[Brp27345]

My Aunt just had a malignant tumor removed from her dogs leg... a rat terrior... and he seems to be doing just fine... the thing is he had to get his entire leg removed... so hopefully your pup didn't have to go through that... and hopefully she will be just fine...

BOL to you and your pup!

[Extra Innings]

Hesitant to respond to this thread....my 10 y/o lab had cancer (benign tumor about the size of a baseball). Surgery was costly but she survived and did well. A couple of posters I believe are doctors so they "know something" but animals are different. They are tough and resilient. I have to say it is nice to hear a relative is handling your case but if he suggested it is malignant...I would be concerned... Ultimately, you are going to have to wait for the test to come back and take it from there.

[falconticket]

I lost my beloved shephard to cancer Jan 09. Keep the faith bro. U don't realize how special they are until there gone. I couldn't sleep for weeks. But I did get a new best friend and she is the best ever. I really hope your Guy makes it thru. Love em while you can, they wont be here long. Even in the best of circumstances. They will all go over the rainbow bridge one day.

[BadNina]

All the best wishes for your dog, Sharpcat.

[JW Cash]

Just took my dog to the vet today to have a lump on her leg checked out and it turns out it was a malignant tumor so we went ahead and removed the tumor.

Can these be successfully removed or is it too late?

The lump has been there for a month maybe 2 vet said we would get biopsy results back in 5 days will this tell us if it has spread or not?

I am just trying to figure out if and how much I should be concerned here and would appreciate any advice from anybody who is educated in this field.

...maybe you should be asking your vet these questions...

[tltaylor89]

Picking up two pit bull pups in December great dogs they are .As far as the tumor goes it all depends on the rate of growth and how rapid it got into her bloodstream shame we have a cure for aids but not for cAncer.

[hhsilver]

My neighbors' dog had a leg amputated and struggled thru chemo because of cancer. That was about 4 years ago and the dog is still thriving. It's not a young dog either - not sure of age , but probably at least 5 or so at the time. Right from the start the dog adapted to 3 legs --- running, walking fine, playing , etc. The dog is a kind of celebrity is our area because of how well it has done and how happy it seems. Of course it got a lot of love from its owners. Very inspiring.

Hope your dog's case won't be that serious.

[Shortstop]

We lost our English Mastiff to cancer a little over two years ago.

She was a 140 pound "Gentle Giant"

We decided to put her down because we didn't want her to endure the pain any longer.

We still miss her to the day.

Best wishes, Sharpcat. I hope nothing but the best for your pup and her human family!

Stay strong!

[Salmon Steak]

Cancer is caused by a mutation in a cells genetic information. The mutation can be casued by many things, commonly chemicals put in cigs, radiation, infectious agents i.e. HPV. The Mutation causes a part of the cell, which controls cell death, to not work correctly. They are "tumor suppressing genes" commonly, retinalblastoma and p53. Now the cell does not die. This is bad because our cells should die naturally, a process called apoptosis. These immortal cells continue to divide and turn into tumors. Your immune system does not see this abnormality as foreign "being your cells" and does not attack them. Normally there are systems to check for errors in your genetic information. However, these degrade with time (I would guess your dog is older). This is why the risk of cancer increases exponentialy as we get older.

The chemical in cigs I highlighted is very interesting as a side note. Cig companies put aromatic hydrocarbon chemicals in cigs to make people addicted. These chemicals once in your body can become oxidized and form epoxides. Now I know we all love epoxides but they can mimic uracil. After your dna is transcribed to RNA uracil is used. It is then translated back into DNA in replication. However, these epoxides which can mimic uracil are nonfunctioning groups. If this gets past your checkers and the mutation happens in an area that codes a protein for a "tumor suppressor gene" you could be in for cancer city.

I hope your dog makes a full recovery. Let me know if you have any pending questions.

[sharpcat]

...maybe you should be asking your vet these questions...

#1) vet was off work spending time with his family.

#2) if you were intelligent you would comprehend that the thread title was inviting educated people to partake in the discussion therefore excluding you.

[capitalist pig]

Man, I hope your dog is going to be okay,keep positive about it.

later