Stunned to see this and read the comments. My vet took 3 mm (not cm) margins and didn’t recommend radiation or chemo for my dog’s 2-cm lump. It recurred at 10 months, again no talk of chemo or radiation. It’s been 10 months more and he’s fading. The vet never offered ultrasound to investigate his cough or swollen belly. Sure wish I’d found this video 20 months ago.
Your story sounds a lot like mine and it's so heartbreaking! My veterinarian didn't offer me any other options either and the tumor came back with a vengeance and now it's huge and there's probably not much left I can do now I'm so angry with my veterinarian
My dog is still recovering from surgery I read a lot on the internet about grade 2 Sarcoma's today since I just found out the results today. It's scary what you read and I came across your video that did help me feel a little better. But she has alot of lumps the vet said the others are fine but now I am going to worry everything I feel one. She is turning 11 soon and I hope for many years yet to come with her.
Hello ma'am, I am Raj from India (New Delhi). My female pet is suffering this issue from last 2 months, wait is around 35 Kg. can you share me best medicine name & advice me best treatment
Thank you so much for this video. My dog got diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma grade 3. I cannot remember if is malignant or not. She had surgery, 5 rounds of Doxirubison ( totally misspelled) and 2 rounds of radiation. That was almost a year ago. She is doing great at home. I think even better than what she was before being diagnosed. The Doc said to keep x-raying her every 3 months for 1 year and then every 6 for 2 years. If nothing shown then He will consider her in remission. So far everything has checked off. But I still worry about her relapsing at any point. But like you said. Is actually “good tumor. “ My dog is very strong and I am very proud of her ❤️ can’t wait for part 2 of this video. Thank you Dr Sue.
So glad that your dog is doing well!!! And that these videos are helpful :) Please subscribe so you will get a notification when part 2 comes out next week. I also have videos on doxorubicin and chemotherapy side effects too if you need them but it sounds like she has graduated. I hope she continues to #KickCancersButt xo
Thank you so much for this and all your videos. Our one year old black lab puppy Marty was recently diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma. It started out small ( left leg wrist) and after a surgery plan was formulated (and elapsed time for surgery scheduled date) the size spread rapidly and our vet said amputation is the best case now. We are saddened, afraid, and worried for our puppy and don’t know what to expect and now seeking an oncologist for the next steps. Your video’s are tremendously helpful for us to learn about what to expect going forward and what questions to ask. Thank you so much.
Thank you for putting my mind a little bit more at rest. My baby has just been diagnosed with spindle cell and I'm terrified for him as he's just turned 11 and is a big dog.
Thank you for raising pet cancer awareness. Please focus on cat cancer too as its needed. 10 days ago, my 10 yr old cat was diagnosed with subcutaneous hemangiosarcoma from biopsy taken from an egg yolk-sized tumor on neck. A week later I had to euthanize him as he was already suffering. I'm heartbroken and having difficulty accepting I'll never spend time with him again. The tumor grew so quickly that I noticed it in a month from a protrusion under his collar. The next week I took him to the vet for it and to treat a blood infection that had just come on. Treating the infection took 3 weeks then he had a biopsy. After less than 2 weeks his health nosedived and he could barely walk and wouldn't eat. The tumor had already grown 1.5 times since I first found it. I wish I could have done more for him including finding the tumor at the first onset even though it probably wouldn't have saved him in the long run. I wanted more time with him to say goodbye but his last 5 days was a whirlwind nightmare. He was my closest friend and like no other cat I've had before with the most unique and robust personality no different than people. He could never get enough of me and wanted nothing more than having me home 24/7 to sit on my lap, snuggle, and gaze at me. He understood the precious value of spending time in the present with a loved one.
My fiance passed from Chondrosarcoma on 11/23/2020 and now my 11 year old dog has a mass on her head and I am being referred to another vet but the vet that did her exam two days ago said possible sarcoma and my heart stopped. I'm back and forth in my head bc I'm scared that as soon as we open it up or start messing with it and doing surgeries I'm going to lose her five months later too. I can't go through another cancer journey and more surgeries again.
Thank You! My dog is scheduled to have surgery to remove his soft tissue sarcoma’s and this video really helped me understand what it is and what the treatment process. ❤️🐾🙏🏻
Hi Chad! If you don't mind me asking, how old was your dog and how are they doing now? I have an 8 year old Shepherd/Dane mix that I'm heavily contemplating taking to his CT scan tomorrow morning for his Soft Tissue Sarcoma (to see how deep it is, if is to the bone, and if it's spread through his body). I'm concerned that the sedation, CT scan and surgery are just going to be too much on him at his old age. But at the same time he's still got his puppy energy, wants to go on walks and wants to play every single day.. I'm wondering if I should just not put him under all that stress and let him live the rest of his life as an 8 year old man with super early stages of kidney disease, a low thyroid, and a cancerous lump on his hip. Or if I should spend thousands to get everything checked out, do the surgeries, help him recover and try to get more years out of him. I won't have certainty on the longevity of his life either way but I just don't know what to do. Our vet says that surgery will cause it to grow back, but we don't know how long that will take, so they want to take as much as they can this time and then maybe he'll pass of old age before it get's this big again (about half a baseball on his hip). After surgery, it could grow back, get worse and call for chemo or amputation. Sorry for the novel, he's my boy and I just don't know what to do. Thanks!
Thank you for this. Our 13 1/2 year old Samoyed x Golden Retriever has just (today) been diagnosed with a soft tissue sarcoma on her rump via biopsy. She is scheduled for surgery in two days. It is quite big - just found a week ago - about the size of an orange. When getting the biopsy, they also did 2 chest xrays. I feel confident in the surgeon - apparently they will have to do a flap reconstruction due to it being close by her bottom :( Your videos are very reassuring.
Hello Dr. Sue. Thanks for your clear video. Does one always need to have a 2nd surgery done, if no aspirates done? Doesn't the surgeon see what to take away during the operation? I'm stuck. My little brown/black rescue chihuahua, just adoped her last year in May, she's 12 yrs old, has a hard lump, and a smaller loose lump next to it, on her left hind leg. It's behind her knee, (which had been fractured and not well mended, a few years before adoption), and she had a very small lump there when we got her. But, the vets didn't do anything about it. That leg was already sore, she didn't like to walk on it too much. The lump grew very fast in November last, were she had the cytoplasmy done. Since one month, she doesn't walk on that leg at all, nor can she jump on and from the couch, which was quite easy for her before. Although she suffers of arthritis in all 4 legs. She's had a cystoplasmy taken, which was ok. No biposy yet, as the oncology clinic here wants to do a set of very expensive scans first. Lungs, (which are fine on the x-rays), her abdomen, (She also has a very small nodule on one if her left mamels), and her leg with a biopsy. It depends on those results, what they are going to do afterwards. Is it possible to go ahead with an operation, without these scans? Up to know, I haven't seen an oncologist yet, because the appointment is only made after the scan results !! So, I don't know what to do... Because, I'm sure she'll need an operation, or at least medication. Is that possible without knowing what type of a lump it is? She has pain, and can't move that leg properly, nor walk on it. So, it's obvious we can't just leave her like that? Are there good treatments without operation? (If it can't be operated...) Please can you help me better understand what to do. I don't have the immense budget for the scans. The vets here didn't talk about ultrasound tests. (In French it's échographie). I would need to see how to pay, if she would undergo an operation. But, I can do that. Thank you.🙏 Ambriel.
I found a small lump on my dog's chest- the size of a small marble. I took her to the vet right away and they did a FNA and the vet immediately determined it to be a fatty tumor (without sending it off to lab). How trusting of this immediate diagnosis should I be? I have been monitoring the lump to make sure it hasn't changed in size, and it hasn't (it's been several months now). Sometimes it changes in consistency, in that some days it feels like a half empty whoopy cushion and others it feels like a slightly more inflated whoopy cushion. What would you advise Dr.?
get a 2nd opinion my dog had a lump on her belly I showed my vet over a yr ago they said not to worry ,now just this week over a yr later my dog was diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma after they had to remove the same mass because she almost died from it
It should be pretty obvious looking at the cells on a slide under a microscope. You’re encouraged to get a second opinion if it will put your mind to ease or if you have doubts. However, it is something that any competent vet should be able to recognize under a microscope. A second opinion isn’t going to hurt though..
@@SaltNBattery I wish that was the case where I’m at in Pa: vets here don’t do in house FNA readings they always send it out. So instead of quickly looking at it and telling you what they see, they just send it to the lab and that’s a lot of $$. Wish the vets here were commenting enouhh to do that :(
She is doing fine. I keep an eye on it just to see if it’s growing. I switched her to raw dog food from Raw Dog Food and Co. about a year and a half ago and she is doing so much better. She’s slimmer and energetic and her teeth look great. I’m also no longer updating her on her vaccines. I hope for the best but realize that beyond what I’m doing, is out of my control. Thanks for the comments!
My 9 yr old Bernese has one in his front armpit. Lucky my vet is so honest that he said I need a specialist to do it and make sure they get margins. May have a long recovery process but going to give it a shot
I know you’re a cancer doctor and not an orthopedist, but do you have any advice on whether or to amputate in the event of an injury? My dog’s previous owners accidentally ran over her when she was three-months-old. She has had three surgeries to repair her back left leg, and she is still having problems. On Friday we found out she needs to have surgery again; this time because the bone didn’t heal correctly from her first surgery, and the neck of the femur isn’t going into the hip socket correctly! Should we make another attempt to save the leg, or just give up? We don’t want her to be in pain and we want to do the right thing for Zoey. She just turned three, and her quality of life has always been our priority. We just don’t know if that means trying to save the leg or removing it. We do have another dog and they are great friends!
My dog is five years old and had a cytology on a subcutaneous mass on her left front leg caudal and proximal to the carpus. This is so hard to understand! The microscopic findings show spindle cell tumor. The specialists I went to today wants to remove the mass for $3,800. I’m all torn up and not sure what to do. Any advice?
Yes, please make that video about soft tissue sarcoma in cats. My sweet 11 year old cat Tiggie was just diagnosed with one. You didn't mention in this video that the treatability depends on where in the body they develop. Hers is in her pelvic area, and the first symptom was constipation. The surgeon says they probably can't operate on this part of her body. We will see the radiation oncologist next week and get a CT scan.
Dr Sue Cancer Vet thank you! My cat was just diagnosed with a feline soft tissue sarcoma, fibrosarcoma/injection site. Sarcoma was removed two months ago and it’s coming back! Looking at another surgery. Her mitotic count was 28, but don’t think the sarcoma was graded on report. Looking for more info before her oncologist appointment and found your videos. Thank you so much.
Hi Doctor Sue, we took our dog to the vet for a lump we found on her side a few days ago and they did a fine needle aspiration on it. We just got the results back today. I asked them to email me the results and this is what it says. Very much would appreciate your opinion on this and is there any questions I should ask them or anything? Thanks. "Cytology Source: 4 slides from semi-firm movable subcutaneous mass on right side of thorax about 2cm in diameter. Microscopic description: The sample is highly cellular, consisting of numerous mesenchymal cells and low numbers of inflammatory cells (few neutrophils and macrophages) on a highly proteinaceous background with free lipid. Some collagen is noted. The mesenchymal cells are spindloid with moderately basophilic cytoplasm. Their nuclei are ovoid and display moderate anisokaryosis. They have stippled chromatin and some haver prominent nucleoli. Few mitotic figures are observed. Findings: Atypical mesenchymal proliferation with mild mixed cell inflammation Comments: the mesenchymal cells could be a reactive fibroblast population since a mild degree of inflammation is present; however, they display moderate nuclear atypia, including increased mitotic activity., Other differentials include a benign fibroma or hamartoma or a soft tissue sarcoma. It is difficult to discern reactive vs neoplastic mesenchymal populations on cytology when inflammation is present. In most cases, soft tissue sarcomas do not readily metastasize, but can be locally invasive and some may recur. Biopsy and histologic evaluation are recommended to discern a reactive vs neoplastic mesenchymal population." They recommend removing it as if it grows larger it will be harder to remove later if it attaches to the muscle or something he tried to explain they might not then remove it all and it can come back.
How do you feel about Red Light Thearpy ? My dog has soft cell sarcoma and tumor removed but cells left behind. Also elevated liver level 300 and put on Detrament. I’m in the process of changing his food but what else should I do ?
I’m not a vet, but a mycologist, look into Turkey tail in the meantime, it certainly seems to have the right immune boosting properties necessary to fight cancer cells
Hi, I'm preparing to do a video about my experience with my dog's soft tissue sarcoma, because I made a decision not to have her toe amputated, mostly because of her personality. She is very active and is trained in agility. So I watched this video to learn more.
What if the cancer comes back..as my vet said it would in our dog...has the cancer come back in your dig? My dog had an op few days ago on front foot but they couldn't get all the cancer so amputation for the limb is on the cards
They were able to get all of the cancer, but the biopsy showed it was grade 1 or 2. So far, no signs of recurrence. Check out websites about tri-pawd dogs.
Pretty sure my 8 yo Lab mix has a tissue sarcoma. Huge tumor on her hind leg. I opted for no pathology/cystology. The surgery is scheduled for removal. Quality of life over quantity is my outlook.
Hi Jan, Lucy had the large mass removed last year about 5 months ago. She is doing great! The vet said the tissue appeared to be cancerous but Lucy shows no signs of impairment. She is playful and eating well. Best of luck!
Im glad i found this vid. Very informative. My senior dachshund was diagnosed with fibroliposarcoma. She's scheduled for another round of surgery and doxorubicin. I'm just worried how she will respond to doxorubicin.
How many people look for this information BEFORE their dog already has a tumor? My dog has a tumor right where she had her rabies shot 4 months ago. I thought it was irritation because she’s very sensitive and has allergies. No, she has cancer.
My dog had one removed a year ago, and it came back in the same exact place, so now they want to surgery again, and do some sort of electric therapy * i do not know. It hasn-t spread.
My dog had a fine needle aspirate and it was benign. When it kept growing she had surgery. She has low grade stage two. I'm so devastated. I feel the small lump should have been removed immediately. She's 10 and only has two to three years now if that.
My female dog has diagnosed with spindel cell tumor in her front leg, she is somewhere between 16 or 17 years with heart murmur, bronquitis, takes gabapentin and theodor. The vet told me to think about leaving her like this because of her age but also told me if I want I can have her have the surgery, is there another option for my dog? I don't want to wait for her to tear the lump and have to put her down after 😭 PLEASE
Sorry for you n your dog. How is she? My dog has just received the sane diagnosis spindle cell and the cancer wasn't able to be all removed from her foot and amputation is best option n my dog is 11 now. So I wondered how your dog is and if she had surgery or not♡♡
Hi Sue, are soft tissue sarcomas usually detectable via fine needle aspirate? My vet tested a subcutaneous pea-sized lump, moveable, on the belly of my GSD, and it was inconclusive. The small lump hasn't grown in at least 4-5 months, we have no idea what it is. Thank you.
According to the research I’ve seen online, Soft Tissue Sarcomas usually are hard to detect via FNA with most outcomes coming back inconclusive. The only way to really REALLY be sure is a biopsy. Any updates on this? Is the dog still fine?
@@Chris24_ Yes, dog is still good, I don't think the bump has grown at all and he's doing great. So, since I noticed the bump, it's been there about 1.5 years and all is fine. The bump was probably there longer before I noticed it too. I suspect it's just a lipoma, it's movable (not attached to the bone or muscle), no change in color, hasn't grown.
@@swavekbu4959 oh thank God, well that’s a big relief, and most definitely if it’s been 1.5 years with no change/no symptoms with your dog, it’s almost definitely an innocuous lump👌🏻
@@Chris24_ By the way, as well, my vet at the time didn't seem "too concerned" about the bump either. He told me if a bump is uncertain, protocol is to remove it (putting the dog under for the surgery), but he didn't push for that at all. In contrast, when my dog had a bump in his mouth, my vet told me outright we should remove it and get it tested (turned out benign). But the bump on his belly my vet didn't really push hard for me to remove it (he would have had he been seriously concerned, as he did for what turned out to be an epulis in his mouth).
@@swavekbu4959 I completely get where you’re coming from, kinda going through something similar with my dog atm, found a lump slightly beneath his ribs, it’s fleshy, but attached to the tissue. Took it to 2 different vets who both said if after 3 months nothing changes, it’s probably nothing to worry about, so far it’s been 5 months, but I’m still a bit worried that something like a Soft Tissue Sarcoma isn’t ruled out. Because of where it was located, they said if it were to be something, it would be either Osteosarcoma or Chrondrosarcoma, both which are completely ruled out at this point as they grow and metastasize rapidly which hasn’t happened, but like I said, I’m still a bit worried about the possibility of something else 😞
My veterinarian did surgery on my dog's low-grade soft tissue sarcoma and told me he couldn't get good margins and just basically gave up didn't give me any other options and now the tumor has gotten huge do you have any advice on what I could do because my veterinarian isn't giving me any other options and I feel like he has failed my dog I'm so angry because I wanted this tumor removed when it was really tiny and he didn't think it was a big deal. My dog doesn't act like he's in any pain he walks he plays he runs he jumps but I'm still very worried about it and wondering if he should be going back in for a second surgery or is it too late?
Hello ma'am, I am Raj from India (New Delhi). My female pet is suffering this issue from last 2 months, wait is around 35 Kg. can you share me best medicine name & advice me best treatment
May I ask why my vet says they can’t see all possibilities from a biopsy. So they want to cut the whole thing out and then send it to the lab and test it. It’s just about 1cm big, below his right medial hock. It’s blackish, a lot of his skin is darker under his coat. He’s otherwise very healthy, with no signs of illness or discomfort except with his age (10 years old Golden retriever, bigger framed than most) he’s a bit weaker in the hind when getting up from lying down nowadays.
Yeah my dog they did in office the first time but 2nd time went in because much bigger..now found out tonight 80 to 90 percent..probably cancer and recommended was to remove completely and hopefully it won't come back .the mass is way bigger then when I took her originally..and it busted open
I wish I watched this last year. I debated surgery and decided not to because I was worried about my dogs age and how much skin would be taken for margins. He's still fine, but the tumor is the size of an orange. Had I known I would've had it removed last year when I found it 💔
Cancer cost me $12,000 from start to finish (We went through Vet Cancer Group in Orange County, CA) it bought my dog 7 months of life, that’s priceless. Also, I’m married and I have no children which is why my income is enough to pay a mortgage and chemo
Dr. Sue thank you so much for the video. My 5 year old pitbull has a 1cm lump under the skin that feels hard, it's located on her right front leg, her mid leg. It doesn't seem to be bothering her at all and she's acting 100% fine. We took her to the vet today and since it's so small the vet couldn't get anything on the slide except red blood cells and a few inflammatory cells when she took the fine needle aspiration. The vet suggested just surgically removing it but we don't want to put her under anesthesia if its not completely necessary because she doesn't do well. What would you recommend. We are freaking out. She's very important to us! We weren't a fan of this vet at all. Thanks so much!
The same thing happened with my dog. He had a tiny pea sized spot that looked like a wart on his front leg. I got two opinions on it and they tried to asperate it but couldn't. Neither vet thought it was anything to worry about. He also doesn't do well under anasteshia as he has megaesopagus and chronic pancreatits but he had a tooth with the pulp showing so we had to do a dental. During the dental I had them remove the bump too since he was already under. It was also hardly growing at all. Turns out it was soft tissue sarcoma. He also acts fine and had perfect bloodwork.
I thought I'd try my luck and post a comment here... my dog has a soft tissue sarcoma but I didn't get any information about the grade. However it's in his left armpit and the vet told me this is a very problematic area to do surgery (arteries, nerves). My dog is 13.5 years old and honestly he's in great shape. But I do feel at his age I'm really reluctant to go through a particularly problematic surgery. (If it's relevant my dog has already gone through two knee surgeries for crucial cranial tears and recovered pretty well.) My vet said if it was his dog he would leave the sarcoma. I know this will just continue to grow and potentially even disrupt his movement one day. I'm curious what Dr. Sue or anyone else has to say about this. Thank you. (I am going to go see an oncologist anyway btw just because...)
Hey there, I actually took my almost 13 year old labrador to the vet recently. I do believe it is a sarcoma, we didn't do any testing. My vet was straight with me, and said that while we can proceed with tumor removal, we could also leave it alone and leave her be. The tumor is also in the armpit area too. She said that we would have to first do blood work to even see if she is a good candidate for surgery, and even with surgery there is risk she may not pull through cause she is a senior and higher risk. They did listen to her lungs and heart and they said they sounded good, and she looked like a happy dog and maintained the same weight over the year. The tumor also doesn't seem to cause her any pain too. At the moment I decided to hold off on surgery, first cause it was gonna cost 3 grand, and also cause there is the risk of her not making it or experiencing potential complications during or after the surgery. What matters to me is that she is a happy dog, so if she can continue to live and enjoy being a dog, even with the tumor, I'll be okay with that.
@@angy101rulzThanks for responding with so much thought and detail. I hope your dog will be ok. I am pretty much in the same direction as you, just want my dog to have the best quality of life possible at this point and I think going through surgery is going to be a stressful and uncertain experience. I decided to go see a vet oncologist anyway so at least I can speak with an expert and have a proper conversation about the way forward. Good luck and thanks again
@@aaronlylegelbman7790 no problem. I figured I would add my insight since I found your scenario to be a bit similar to mine! And thanks, I wish you luck with your dog too. 🐕
Hey there, was just curious how has it gone with your dog? I recently decided to go through with the surgery for the tumor removal on the 24th of January. It had started bleeding and I thought it was time to remove it. Biopsy was done and it turned out to be a grade 3 sarcoma. For now I am glad we got the tumor removed, and my 13 year old labrador is doing great and recovering really well. Vet said she did well under anesthesia too. We did preoperative blood work as well as X-rays to see if she was a good candidate for anesthesia. There didnt appear to be any visible signs of metastasis or anything on her xrays or bloodwork. Post operation I recently started giving her hemp oil, along with turkey tail mushroom, feeding a better diet to help strengthen her immune system, and a NSAID called piroxicam. Piroxicam has been studied to be anti-tumor, and it helps with her arthritis. I figured it was worth taking a holistic approach cause I really don't want to put her through chemotherapy and it combines conventional treatment with more experimental therapies.
Stunned to see this and read the comments. My vet took 3 mm (not cm) margins and didn’t recommend radiation or chemo for my dog’s 2-cm lump. It recurred at 10 months, again no talk of chemo or radiation. It’s been 10 months more and he’s fading. The vet never offered ultrasound to investigate his cough or swollen belly. Sure wish I’d found this video 20 months ago.
Your story sounds a lot like mine and it's so heartbreaking! My veterinarian didn't offer me any other options either and the tumor came back with a vengeance and now it's huge and there's probably not much left I can do now I'm so angry with my veterinarian
I'm in Venezuela. It's the same here.
My dog is still recovering from surgery I read a lot on the internet about grade 2 Sarcoma's today since I just found out the results today. It's scary what you read and I came across your video that did help me feel a little better. But she has alot of lumps the vet said the others are fine but now I am going to worry everything I feel one. She is turning 11 soon and I hope for many years yet to come with her.
Hello ma'am, I am Raj from India (New Delhi). My female pet is suffering this issue from last 2 months, wait is around 35 Kg. can you share me best medicine name & advice me best treatment
Thank you so much for this video. My dog got diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma grade 3. I cannot remember if is malignant or not. She had surgery, 5 rounds of Doxirubison ( totally misspelled) and 2 rounds of radiation. That was almost a year ago. She is doing great at home. I think even better than what she was before being diagnosed. The Doc said to keep x-raying her every 3 months for 1 year and then every 6 for 2 years. If nothing shown then He will consider her in remission. So far everything has checked off. But I still worry about her relapsing at any point. But like you said. Is actually “good tumor. “ My dog is very strong and I am very proud of her ❤️ can’t wait for part 2 of this video. Thank you Dr Sue.
So glad that your dog is doing well!!! And that these videos are helpful :) Please subscribe so you will get a notification when part 2 comes out next week. I also have videos on doxorubicin and chemotherapy side effects too if you need them but it sounds like she has graduated. I hope she continues to #KickCancersButt xo
Hi how old is your dog if you dont mind me asking plz
Thank you so much for this and all your videos. Our one year old black lab puppy Marty was recently diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma. It started out small ( left leg wrist) and after a surgery plan was formulated (and elapsed time for surgery scheduled date) the size spread rapidly and our vet said amputation is the best case now. We are saddened, afraid, and worried for our puppy and don’t know what to expect and now seeking an oncologist for the next steps. Your video’s are tremendously helpful for us to learn about what to expect going forward and what questions to ask. Thank you so much.
Thank you for putting my mind a little bit more at rest.
My baby has just been diagnosed with spindle cell and I'm terrified for him as he's just turned 11 and is a big dog.
Thank you for raising pet cancer awareness. Please focus on cat cancer too as its needed. 10 days ago, my 10 yr old cat was diagnosed with subcutaneous hemangiosarcoma from biopsy taken from an egg yolk-sized tumor on neck. A week later I had to euthanize him as he was already suffering. I'm heartbroken and having difficulty accepting I'll never spend time with him again. The tumor grew so quickly that I noticed it in a month from a protrusion under his collar. The next week I took him to the vet for it and to treat a blood infection that had just come on. Treating the infection took 3 weeks then he had a biopsy. After less than 2 weeks his health nosedived and he could barely walk and wouldn't eat. The tumor had already grown 1.5 times since I first found it. I wish I could have done more for him including finding the tumor at the first onset even though it probably wouldn't have saved him in the long run. I wanted more time with him to say goodbye but his last 5 days was a whirlwind nightmare. He was my closest friend and like no other cat I've had before with the most unique and robust personality no different than people. He could never get enough of me and wanted nothing more than having me home 24/7 to sit on my lap, snuggle, and gaze at me. He understood the precious value of spending time in the present with a loved one.
Very sorry for your loss.
Bless you so much. Take good care yourself during 😊this hard time.😅
My fiance passed from Chondrosarcoma on 11/23/2020 and now my 11 year old dog has a mass on her head and I am being referred to another vet but the vet that did her exam two days ago said possible sarcoma and my heart stopped. I'm back and forth in my head bc I'm scared that as soon as we open it up or start messing with it and doing surgeries I'm going to lose her five months later too. I can't go through another cancer journey and more surgeries again.
Thank You! My dog is scheduled to have surgery to remove his soft tissue sarcoma’s and this video really helped me understand what it is and what the treatment process. ❤️🐾🙏🏻
So happy this helped! And sending good vibes and energy for the surgery 💙💙
Hi Chad! If you don't mind me asking, how old was your dog and how are they doing now? I have an 8 year old Shepherd/Dane mix that I'm heavily contemplating taking to his CT scan tomorrow morning for his Soft Tissue Sarcoma (to see how deep it is, if is to the bone, and if it's spread through his body). I'm concerned that the sedation, CT scan and surgery are just going to be too much on him at his old age. But at the same time he's still got his puppy energy, wants to go on walks and wants to play every single day.. I'm wondering if I should just not put him under all that stress and let him live the rest of his life as an 8 year old man with super early stages of kidney disease, a low thyroid, and a cancerous lump on his hip. Or if I should spend thousands to get everything checked out, do the surgeries, help him recover and try to get more years out of him. I won't have certainty on the longevity of his life either way but I just don't know what to do. Our vet says that surgery will cause it to grow back, but we don't know how long that will take, so they want to take as much as they can this time and then maybe he'll pass of old age before it get's this big again (about half a baseball on his hip). After surgery, it could grow back, get worse and call for chemo or amputation. Sorry for the novel, he's my boy and I just don't know what to do. Thanks!
@@mikeymikey369what did u do?
@@mikeymikey369what did u do?
Please could you kindly do a soft tissue sarcoma video for felines, there really isn’t much information available for this area. Thank you
Thank you for this. Our 13 1/2 year old Samoyed x Golden Retriever has just (today) been diagnosed with a soft tissue sarcoma on her rump via biopsy. She is scheduled for surgery in two days. It is quite big - just found a week ago - about the size of an orange. When getting the biopsy, they also did 2 chest xrays. I feel confident in the surgeon - apparently they will have to do a flap reconstruction due to it being close by her bottom :( Your videos are very reassuring.
it came back as a grade 1 as well
Bless you and your baby.
Hello Dr. Sue. Thanks for your clear video. Does one always need to have a 2nd surgery done, if no aspirates done? Doesn't the surgeon see what to take away during the operation?
I'm stuck. My little brown/black rescue chihuahua, just adoped her last year in May, she's 12 yrs old, has a hard lump, and a smaller loose lump next to it, on her left hind leg. It's behind her knee, (which had been fractured and not well mended, a few years before adoption), and she had a very small lump there when we got her. But, the vets didn't do anything about it. That leg was already sore, she didn't like to walk on it too much. The lump grew very fast in November last, were she had the cytoplasmy done. Since one month, she doesn't walk on that leg at all, nor can she jump on and from the couch, which was quite easy for her before. Although she suffers of arthritis in all 4 legs.
She's had a cystoplasmy taken, which was ok. No biposy yet, as the oncology clinic here wants to do a set of very expensive scans first. Lungs, (which are fine on the x-rays), her abdomen, (She also has a very small nodule on one if her left mamels), and her leg with a biopsy.
It depends on those results, what they are going to do afterwards.
Is it possible to go ahead with an operation, without these scans?
Up to know, I haven't seen an oncologist yet, because the appointment is only made after the scan results !! So, I don't know what to do... Because, I'm sure she'll need an operation, or at least medication. Is that possible without knowing what type of a lump it is? She has pain, and can't move that leg properly, nor walk on it. So, it's obvious we can't just leave her like that? Are there good treatments without operation?
(If it can't be operated...) Please can you help me better understand what to do.
I don't have the immense budget for the scans. The vets here didn't talk about ultrasound tests. (In French it's échographie).
I would need to see how to pay, if she would undergo an operation. But, I can do that. Thank you.🙏 Ambriel.
I found a small lump on my dog's chest- the size of a small marble. I took her to the vet right away and they did a FNA and the vet immediately determined it to be a fatty tumor (without sending it off to lab). How trusting of this immediate diagnosis should I be? I have been monitoring the lump to make sure it hasn't changed in size, and it hasn't (it's been several months now). Sometimes it changes in consistency, in that some days it feels like a half empty whoopy cushion and others it feels like a slightly more inflated whoopy cushion. What would you advise Dr.?
get a 2nd opinion my dog had a lump on her belly I showed my vet over a yr ago they said not to worry ,now just this week over a yr later my dog was diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma after they had to remove the same mass because she almost died from it
It should be pretty obvious looking at the cells on a slide under a microscope. You’re encouraged to get a second opinion if it will put your mind to ease or if you have doubts. However, it is something that any competent vet should be able to recognize under a microscope.
A second opinion isn’t going to hurt though..
@@SaltNBattery I wish that was the case where I’m at in Pa: vets here don’t do in house FNA readings they always send it out. So instead of quickly looking at it and telling you what they see, they just send it to the lab and that’s a lot of $$. Wish the vets here were commenting enouhh to do that :(
Any updates on this!?!
She is doing fine. I keep an eye on it just to see if it’s growing. I switched her to raw dog food from Raw Dog Food and Co. about a year and a half ago and she is doing so much better. She’s slimmer and energetic and her teeth look great. I’m also no longer updating her on her vaccines. I hope for the best but realize that beyond what I’m doing, is out of my control. Thanks for the comments!
My 9 yr old Bernese has one in his front armpit. Lucky my vet is so honest that he said I need a specialist to do it and make sure they get margins. May have a long recovery process but going to give it a shot
Sending positive vibes! 🤍🤍
I know you’re a cancer doctor and not an orthopedist, but do you have any advice on whether or to amputate in the event of an injury? My dog’s previous owners accidentally ran over her when she was three-months-old. She has had three surgeries to repair her back left leg, and she is still having problems. On Friday we found out she needs to have surgery again; this time because the bone didn’t heal correctly from her first surgery, and the neck of the femur isn’t going into the hip socket correctly!
Should we make another attempt to save the leg, or just give up? We don’t want her to be in pain and we want to do the right thing for Zoey. She just turned three, and her quality of life has always been our priority. We just don’t know if that means trying to save the leg or removing it.
We do have another dog and they are great friends!
My dog is five years old and had a cytology on a subcutaneous mass on her left front leg caudal and proximal to the carpus. This is so hard to understand! The microscopic findings show spindle cell tumor. The specialists I went to today wants to remove the mass for $3,800. I’m all torn up and not sure what to do. Any advice?
update?
Yes, please make that video about soft tissue sarcoma in cats. My sweet 11 year old cat Tiggie was just diagnosed with one. You didn't mention in this video that the treatability depends on where in the body they develop. Hers is in her pelvic area, and the first symptom was constipation. The surgeon says they probably can't operate on this part of her body. We will see the radiation oncologist next week and get a CT scan.
Please keep us posted on your kitty cat thank you. My doggie son Butter Bear was diagnosed just recently with soft tissue sarcoma of his arm grade 2
My dog has this in his neck. It's about 1/3rd the size of a golf ball. I didn't pet her their. He's going for surgery Friday.
Great video. Thanks!
Hi can you pleas help me I think my eight year old border collie may have one but it's on the right side of his groin could this be one
My dog had a stage 2 on his groin it was black
Thank you for your video on dog soft tissue sarcomas. You mentioned you would be doing a cat one soon? Did you already post that?
Not yet. It is coming. I ended up doing nasal tumors first. It IS coming. Stay tuned. Please subscribe so you do not miss it. Thanks for watching! xo
Dr Sue Cancer Vet thank you! My cat was just diagnosed with a feline soft tissue sarcoma, fibrosarcoma/injection site. Sarcoma was removed two months ago and it’s coming back! Looking at another surgery. Her mitotic count was 28, but don’t think the sarcoma was graded on report. Looking for more info before her oncologist appointment and found your videos. Thank you so much.
Hi Doctor Sue, we took our dog to the vet for a lump we found on her side a few days ago and they did a fine needle aspiration on it. We just got the results back today. I asked them to email me the results and this is what it says. Very much would appreciate your opinion on this and is there any questions I should ask them or anything? Thanks.
"Cytology
Source: 4 slides from semi-firm movable subcutaneous mass on right side of thorax about 2cm in diameter.
Microscopic description:
The sample is highly cellular, consisting of numerous mesenchymal cells and low numbers of inflammatory cells (few neutrophils and macrophages) on a highly proteinaceous background with free lipid. Some collagen is noted. The mesenchymal cells are spindloid with moderately basophilic cytoplasm. Their nuclei are ovoid and display moderate anisokaryosis. They have stippled chromatin and some haver prominent nucleoli. Few mitotic figures are observed.
Findings: Atypical mesenchymal proliferation with mild mixed cell inflammation
Comments: the mesenchymal cells could be a reactive fibroblast population since a mild degree of inflammation is present; however, they display moderate nuclear atypia, including increased mitotic activity., Other differentials include a benign fibroma or hamartoma or a soft tissue sarcoma. It is difficult to discern reactive vs neoplastic mesenchymal populations on cytology when inflammation is present.
In most cases, soft tissue sarcomas do not readily metastasize, but can be locally invasive and some may recur. Biopsy and histologic evaluation are recommended to discern a reactive vs neoplastic mesenchymal population."
They recommend removing it as if it grows larger it will be harder to remove later if it attaches to the muscle or something he tried to explain they might not then remove it all and it can come back.
How do you feel about Red Light Thearpy ? My dog has soft cell sarcoma and tumor removed but cells left behind. Also elevated liver level 300 and put on Detrament. I’m in the process of changing his food but what else should I do ?
I’m not a vet, but a mycologist, look into Turkey tail in the meantime, it certainly seems to have the right immune boosting properties necessary to fight cancer cells
Hey how is your dog doing? My dog has just had her surgery and we are in the same position. Cells have been left behind.
Hi, I'm preparing to do a video about my experience with my dog's soft tissue sarcoma, because I made a decision not to have her toe amputated, mostly because of her personality. She is very active and is trained in agility. So I watched this video to learn more.
What if the cancer comes back..as my vet said it would in our dog...has the cancer come back in your dig? My dog had an op few days ago on front foot but they couldn't get all the cancer so amputation for the limb is on the cards
@@marciemeow Here's the video I made: ua-cam.com/users/shortsVJ7UJMK28Vk
They were able to get all of the cancer, but the biopsy showed it was grade 1 or 2. So far, no signs of recurrence. Check out websites about tri-pawd dogs.
Most of the shorts on my account are of Misty running agility.
What about a mesenchymal cell proliferation?
Pretty sure my 8 yo Lab mix has a tissue sarcoma. Huge tumor on her hind leg. I opted for no pathology/cystology. The surgery is scheduled for removal. Quality of life over quantity is my outlook.
Hi, can I ask what happened with your dog. My puggle just got diagnosed. She has a large lump on her back leg as well.
Hi Jan, Lucy had the large mass removed last year about 5 months ago. She is doing great! The vet said the tissue appeared to be cancerous but Lucy shows no signs of impairment. She is playful and eating well. Best of luck!
Hi! My lab mix who is 11 has soft tissue sarcoma and he is scheduled for his leg amputation and I am so scared….
@@tiaresantiago6586how is your dog doing now?
Is there away to save your dog without having to take a second mortgage out?
Im glad i found this vid. Very informative. My senior dachshund was diagnosed with fibroliposarcoma. She's scheduled for another round of surgery and doxorubicin. I'm just worried how she will respond to doxorubicin.
How many people look for this information BEFORE their dog already has a tumor? My dog has a tumor right where she had her rabies shot 4 months ago. I thought it was irritation because she’s very sensitive and has allergies. No, she has cancer.
My dog had one removed a year ago, and it came back in the same exact place, so now they want to surgery again, and do some sort of electric therapy * i do not know. It hasn-t spread.
Same my dog got it on his penis and they removed it but it came back and I removed them again they said he needs chemo ..
My dog had a fine needle aspirate and it was benign. When it kept growing she had surgery. She has low grade stage two. I'm so devastated. I feel the small lump should have been removed immediately. She's 10 and only has two to three years now if that.
My female dog has diagnosed with spindel cell tumor in her front leg, she is somewhere between 16 or 17 years with heart murmur, bronquitis, takes gabapentin and theodor. The vet told me to think about leaving her like this because of her age but also told me if I want I can have her have the surgery, is there another option for my dog? I don't want to wait for her to tear the lump and have to put her down after 😭 PLEASE
Sorry for you n your dog. How is she? My dog has just received the sane diagnosis spindle cell and the cancer wasn't able to be all removed from her foot and amputation is best option n my dog is 11 now. So I wondered how your dog is and if she had surgery or not♡♡
Hi Sue, are soft tissue sarcomas usually detectable via fine needle aspirate? My vet tested a subcutaneous pea-sized lump, moveable, on the belly of my GSD, and it was inconclusive. The small lump hasn't grown in at least 4-5 months, we have no idea what it is. Thank you.
According to the research I’ve seen online, Soft Tissue Sarcomas usually are hard to detect via FNA with most outcomes coming back inconclusive. The only way to really REALLY be sure is a biopsy. Any updates on this? Is the dog still fine?
@@Chris24_ Yes, dog is still good, I don't think the bump has grown at all and he's doing great. So, since I noticed the bump, it's been there about 1.5 years and all is fine. The bump was probably there longer before I noticed it too. I suspect it's just a lipoma, it's movable (not attached to the bone or muscle), no change in color, hasn't grown.
@@swavekbu4959 oh thank God, well that’s a big relief, and most definitely if it’s been 1.5 years with no change/no symptoms with your dog, it’s almost definitely an innocuous lump👌🏻
@@Chris24_ By the way, as well, my vet at the time didn't seem "too concerned" about the bump either. He told me if a bump is uncertain, protocol is to remove it (putting the dog under for the surgery), but he didn't push for that at all. In contrast, when my dog had a bump in his mouth, my vet told me outright we should remove it and get it tested (turned out benign). But the bump on his belly my vet didn't really push hard for me to remove it (he would have had he been seriously concerned, as he did for what turned out to be an epulis in his mouth).
@@swavekbu4959 I completely get where you’re coming from, kinda going through something similar with my dog atm, found a lump slightly beneath his ribs, it’s fleshy, but attached to the tissue. Took it to 2 different vets who both said if after 3 months nothing changes, it’s probably nothing to worry about, so far it’s been 5 months, but I’m still a bit worried that something like a Soft Tissue Sarcoma isn’t ruled out. Because of where it was located, they said if it were to be something, it would be either Osteosarcoma or Chrondrosarcoma, both which are completely ruled out at this point as they grow and metastasize rapidly which hasn’t happened, but like I said, I’m still a bit worried about the possibility of something else 😞
My veterinarian did surgery on my dog's low-grade soft tissue sarcoma and told me he couldn't get good margins and just basically gave up didn't give me any other options and now the tumor has gotten huge do you have any advice on what I could do because my veterinarian isn't giving me any other options and I feel like he has failed my dog I'm so angry because I wanted this tumor removed when it was really tiny and he didn't think it was a big deal. My dog doesn't act like he's in any pain he walks he plays he runs he jumps but I'm still very worried about it and wondering if he should be going back in for a second surgery or is it too late?
Look for good veterinary clinic for check up what is best to your dog
How are things going? We just got diagnosed with a grade 2 soft tissue sarcoma that is huge and under the muscle so we can’t get it removed.
Nice to learn
Hello ma'am, I am Raj from India (New Delhi). My female pet is suffering this issue from last 2 months, wait is around 35 Kg. can you share me best medicine name & advice me best treatment
Bring her to veterinary for check up
Your Awesome Thank you !!
My dog has a stage 1 spindle cell sarcoma on his toe. We had it taken off now they half to take the toe...
May I ask why my vet says they can’t see all possibilities from a biopsy. So they want to cut the whole thing out and then send it to the lab and test it.
It’s just about 1cm big, below his right medial hock. It’s blackish, a lot of his skin is darker under his coat.
He’s otherwise very healthy, with no signs of illness or discomfort except with his age (10 years old Golden retriever, bigger framed than most) he’s a bit weaker in the hind when getting up from lying down nowadays.
Yeah my dog they did in office the first time but 2nd time went in because much bigger..now found out tonight 80 to 90 percent..probably cancer and recommended was to remove completely and hopefully it won't come back .the mass is way bigger then when I took her originally..and it busted open
I wish I watched this last year. I debated surgery and decided not to because I was worried about my dogs age and how much skin would be taken for margins. He's still fine, but the tumor is the size of an orange. Had I known I would've had it removed last year when I found it 💔
Good video but who can afford to send thier dog in for biopsie, surgery and so on, this cost 5,6,7K and over......
Mine was only 700 get a credit card
@@aprilcloyce7426 was that total $700 for the surgery to remove it and biopsy it?
@@coldfire420 yes
@@coldfire420 it was stage 2. He said it could come back and id have to remove again
Cancer cost me $12,000 from start to finish (We went through Vet Cancer Group in Orange County, CA) it bought my dog 7 months of life, that’s priceless. Also, I’m married and I have no children which is why my income is enough to pay a mortgage and chemo
Dr. Sue thank you so much for the video. My 5 year old pitbull has a 1cm lump under the skin that feels hard, it's located on her right front leg, her mid leg. It doesn't seem to be bothering her at all and she's acting 100% fine. We took her to the vet today and since it's so small the vet couldn't get anything on the slide except red blood cells and a few inflammatory cells when she took the fine needle aspiration. The vet suggested just surgically removing it but we don't want to put her under anesthesia if its not completely necessary because she doesn't do well. What would you recommend. We are freaking out. She's very important to us! We weren't a fan of this vet at all. Thanks so much!
The same thing happened with my dog. He had a tiny pea sized spot that looked like a wart on his front leg. I got two opinions on it and they tried to asperate it but couldn't. Neither vet thought it was anything to worry about. He also doesn't do well under anasteshia as he has megaesopagus and chronic pancreatits but he had a tooth with the pulp showing so we had to do a dental. During the dental I had them remove the bump too since he was already under. It was also hardly growing at all. Turns out it was soft tissue sarcoma. He also acts fine and had perfect bloodwork.
@@caynicole7922 Hi after you had it diagnosed as a soft tissue sarcoma, what was your course of action.Thank you.
Hi
I thought I'd try my luck and post a comment here... my dog has a soft tissue sarcoma but I didn't get any information about the grade. However it's in his left armpit and the vet told me this is a very problematic area to do surgery (arteries, nerves). My dog is 13.5 years old and honestly he's in great shape. But I do feel at his age I'm really reluctant to go through a particularly problematic surgery. (If it's relevant my dog has already gone through two knee surgeries for crucial cranial tears and recovered pretty well.) My vet said if it was his dog he would leave the sarcoma. I know this will just continue to grow and potentially even disrupt his movement one day. I'm curious what Dr. Sue or anyone else has to say about this. Thank you. (I am going to go see an oncologist anyway btw just because...)
Hey there, I actually took my almost 13 year old labrador to the vet recently. I do believe it is a sarcoma, we didn't do any testing. My vet was straight with me, and said that while we can proceed with tumor removal, we could also leave it alone and leave her be. The tumor is also in the armpit area too. She said that we would have to first do blood work to even see if she is a good candidate for surgery, and even with surgery there is risk she may not pull through cause she is a senior and higher risk. They did listen to her lungs and heart and they said they sounded good, and she looked like a happy dog and maintained the same weight over the year. The tumor also doesn't seem to cause her any pain too.
At the moment I decided to hold off on surgery, first cause it was gonna cost 3 grand, and also cause there is the risk of her not making it or experiencing potential complications during or after the surgery. What matters to me is that she is a happy dog, so if she can continue to live and enjoy being a dog, even with the tumor, I'll be okay with that.
@@angy101rulzThanks for responding with so much thought and detail. I hope your dog will be ok. I am pretty much in the same direction as you, just want my dog to have the best quality of life possible at this point and I think going through surgery is going to be a stressful and uncertain experience. I decided to go see a vet oncologist anyway so at least I can speak with an expert and have a proper conversation about the way forward. Good luck and thanks again
@@aaronlylegelbman7790 no problem. I figured I would add my insight since I found your scenario to be a bit similar to mine! And thanks, I wish you luck with your dog too. 🐕
Hey there, was just curious how has it gone with your dog? I recently decided to go through with the surgery for the tumor removal on the 24th of January. It had started bleeding and I thought it was time to remove it.
Biopsy was done and it turned out to be a grade 3 sarcoma. For now I am glad we got the tumor removed, and my 13 year old labrador is doing great and recovering really well. Vet said she did well under anesthesia too. We did preoperative blood work as well as X-rays to see if she was a good candidate for anesthesia. There didnt appear to be any visible signs of metastasis or anything on her xrays or bloodwork.
Post operation I recently started giving her hemp oil, along with turkey tail mushroom, feeding a better diet to help strengthen her immune system, and a NSAID called piroxicam. Piroxicam has been studied to be anti-tumor, and it helps with her arthritis. I figured it was worth taking a holistic approach cause I really don't want to put her through chemotherapy and it combines conventional treatment with more experimental therapies.
PLEASE DO NOT APSERATE! Asperating causes SPREAD! Get it removed, then byopsy. Always best.