Cat/spindle-Cell Cancer

[Answerprancer]

Hi, does anyone have any experience of this?
My house mate's cat has the above. The vet said that the lump (on one side of her face) was inoperable and that this type of tumour was very aggressive.
The tissue biopsy results came in about six months ago and now the lump is bigger and has spread a bit further down her face. Although she is slowly going blind in the eye on that side (you can see when it catches the light that it is slightly cateracted) she seems normal and happy.
What is the prognosis? With this lump, where could it go next? into her brain? the lymphatic system? Or is it all unpredictable and just a case of 'wait and see'?
Poor Minnie :-(

[Nibble]

Sorry to hear this, AP, but a quick "googling" of this disease doesn't make for happy reading re prognosis

http://www.vetinfo.com/feline-sarcoma-prognosis.html

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-spindle-cell-sarcoma.htm


Both of these site state that survival rates are low, with renewal of the cancer in 60-70% of cases, with death anytime after a maximum of 2-5 years.

Once again sorry for delivering sad news. :(

[Answerprancer]

That's ok, we know she's doomed - I was just wondering how long she might last and how things might go. All we can do (and are doing) is make sure her quality of life is good and to properly know when the time is right to ...well you know. Maybe when her time comes she might just drift off on her own in her sleep.

[Nibble]

General advice on internet seems to be anything from 6months-2years, but it totally depends on the tumour/cat. Keep the cat happy, and live its life in comfort seems to be the mantra.

[wolf63]

AP - Remember too that a year in the life of a cat equates to much longer. Depends on how old the cat is - she might see it through and die of old age.

As long as she is happy, eating, poo-ing and wee-ing then all is well in her world.

[lankeela]

Sadly this type of tumour is not likely to be fatal in the usual sense, i.e. it won't kill the cat - the decision will have to be taken when the quality of life makes it unfair to keep her going, and that is something that will have to be done sooner or later. Hopefully she will have enough good quality of life for some time yet, but remember when the time does come, better a day too soon than a moment too late. Its the greatest act of love you can do for them after all they love they have given you.