Apocrine Sweat Gland Adenocarcinoma?

[makenna]

We had an appointment with the vet school Monday to check the lump in his rectum, plus another he had on his paw and another on the back of his neck.

Good news, the paw and neck lumps were benign. The one on his neck was a cyst that drained completely when they went to aspirate it.

Bad news, the vet was pretty sure the lump in his rectum was a recurrence of the anal gland cancer, so they did X-Rays and an abdominal ultrasound. Good news there was that the X-Ray of his lungs was totally clear. Bad news was that they found a couple of enlarged lymph nodes on the ultrasound. Worst news, they also found a large mass on his spleen.

Yesterday, he underwent surgery to remove his spleen, and while they were in there they also removed the lymph nodes and the rectal mass. I was so sure I didn't want to pursue additional surgery, but the alternative was that the mass could rupture unexpectedly and that would obviously be very painful and fatal. I am out of town this weekend and my mom is watching him, she said she couldn't bear to be worried all weekend that something could happen while I was away, so we did the surgery to buy a bit more time. Apparently the mass ruptured as soon as they took it out, so it was much needed.

Now, we just wait to see what the results of the spleen mass are. If it is cancerous, he could have a few months left before it pops up somewhere else. If it is benign, then he could have much longer as all of the visible cancer will have now been removed and we should have a bit before the anal gland cancer pops up somewhere else (and it's much slower moving). The vet said it was 50/50 if it was cancerous or benign. I'm hoping that the odds of a single dog having three separate types of cancer is low, but what do I know?

I get to bring him home tonight, he's been doing well and has been so incredibly brave. I'm grateful to the surgical vet as well as the intern we've been working with, they've been absolutely amazing.

[bizzylizzy]

keeping fingers very tightly crossed for you and hoping the results are good!
 

[Mudmagnets]

Thinking of you and hoping for the best 

 

[makenna]

Thank you both. 

It's been a rough recovery so far, we barely slept last night. He acts like he needs to go to the bathroom but struggles with it, and can't move around very easily without being in pain. I'm waiting on a call from the vet to see if there is some other pain medication I can give him between the times when the one he is currently taking starts to wear off.

She said about a week before we'll have the results. My luck, I'll get them when I'm out of town and have to cope without dragging the whole trip down. But regardless, I'm hoping this was the best option for him I just really hope he starts feeling better because it is so hard to see him like this and not be able to explain to him what's going on.  :'(

[Finvarra]

Poor lad, it's so stressful if you can't be there with him. You must be unable to think of anything else. Just hope he makes a swift recovery and has many more years ahead 

[Jaysmumagain]

Thinking of you are your boy.  Sending lots of love and positive thoughts from UK

Me and Harry

[ejp]

Sending positive thoughts for Harry an hope that he is doing better now. 

[makenna]

Thank you all.

Recovery was difficult, but is getting better. He had some urinary incontinentence that seemed to have been caused by one of his medications but I think that is improving. He also had some weird poo habits (going frequently and in small amounts) but I believe that was due to the codeine and has stopped now since he's off it.

I received a call back from the vet this morning, and really don't have much of an answer I guess. The lymph nodes they removed were confirmed as spread of his anal gland cancer, but we already knew that. The spleen mass itself was largely consistent with a hematoma, which is good, but had some "suspicious" cells that they weren't sure about. I've done a lot of reading and it seems they could either be benign cells that reproduce and can mimic cancerous cells, or they could just be straight up cancer cells.

They are encouraging me to meet with the oncology department, which I may do. I'm not sure if I'd have him do chemo, as it seems like the prognosis isn't much longer with chemo if it really is a bad cancer. But I may get some more answers from them, so may meet with them for just that.

It's hard because either way you slice it, my dog does have cancer and will continue to, and eventually it is going to take him from me.  :'( I guess it's just a matter of when and how. Maybe the oncologist can provide some insight in that area.

[bizzylizzy]

I really feel for you and do hope the oncologist can give you the reassurance you need to help you decide the way forward, but you know your dog best, follow your heart and trust your own instincts, they?re your best guide.
Wishing you all the best. X

[Jaysmumagain]

I am so sorry to read your update and the choices, however I feel the research you have done will clear up some question and the onccologist others.

We had a diffent dilema with my boy Oliver, he was thirten at the time, it was in his throat and in a place were removal wasn't an option. The vet suggested to let him go - while he was still with her after exploraty surgery, my husband said no he wanted to bring him home and see how it went.  He was with us over 2 years.  Happy years where he still enjoyed his walks and meals ( boy did he love his food) and we cherised the time.  We expected less so were blessed.

Whatever you decide the fact is that your boy is one lucky dog to be loved so much, sending positive thoughts to you.

J

[makenna]

Thank you both. I do hope we get more time.

It's funny, he was such a troubled young dog but has really blossomed into the most amazing pup. I am so proud of him and just love him so much.

I think ultimately I just want to make sure he's happy and that his end is as peaceful as possible.

[Finvarra]

When the vet was suggesting that the cause of Dylan's fits was a brain tumour, we did the research, and found that surgery is not well advanced and is risky, and that radiotherapy and chemo only gave about four extra months, and they probably wouldn't be happy ones. So we decided to just treat the seizures with medication and take it from there. So we don't knowmifmit's epilepsy or a tumour, but he's happy and himself at the moment, and I wouldn't want to put him through chemo for very little gain, so see where you are coming from too. Lots of love to both of you  💐💖

[ejp]

It's so difficult to know what to do.  If you get all the information you can decide from there.  You will make the right choice, I have no doubt about that.

[makenna]

Thank you all.

He's back at the vet school today. They are going to do another ultrasound to see if there are any remaining enlarged lymph nodes, which will affect the type of chemo we do if we end up going that route. I'm still undecided in that area.

However, she did assure me that the mass on his spleen wasn't the super scary cancer and that they aren't worried about that right now. So that at least was a weight off my shoulders.

They also told me repeatedly that he was very cute and the vet even called him precious. 

[ejp]

Thank you all.

He's back at the vet school today. They are going to do another ultrasound to see if there are any remaining enlarged lymph nodes, which will affect the type of chemo we do if we end up going that route. I'm still undecided in that area.

However, she did assure me that the mass on his spleen wasn't the super scary cancer and that they aren't worried about that right now. So that at least was a weight off my shoulders.

They also told me repeatedly that he was very cute and the vet even called him precious. 

Well, cute is a given  I hope your next appointment goes well.