Mammary Cancer in my Lab

Mammary Cancer in my Lab

by Stacie
(IA)

My 10 year lab/golden retriever mix Molly underwent a lumpectomy of a mammary tumor today. The vet is sending the tumor to a pathologist, and I am very nervous about the results. I was just wondering what to expect with different forms of breast cancer in dogs. What is the average lifespan after a lumpectomy and is there anything I can do to help Molly live longer. Thanks for any input!

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Mammary Cancer in my Lab

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Feb 04, 2010
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Mammary cancer
by: Corinne

Hi,

I'm going through the exact same thing as you are this week with my pup Bozita (I put her on this site too)...it's pretty stressful for me, so I can imagine the same is for you.

There are a few canine cancers from what I've found in the research (I'm also a nurse)...I imagine they didn't do a needle biopsy first or you would probably know the type of cancer. The lab will give the type and grade of the cancer once it's been analyzed. At that point they will also be able to tell if the vet removed all the edges of the cancer. If the edges are "dirty", this means that there are cells in the last bit of the tumour they removed, so then the decision would be to go back in and remove more of the area, or to do radiation to destroy the last few. Your vet will advise you on the best route with the type of cancer. Did they do a radical mastectomy with lymph node removal, or did they do a lumpectomy (just lump removal)?

From my understanding of mammary cancers in dogs, there is a good chance of total recovery with no further need of any kind of treatment if they got all the cancer and it hasn't spread to other sites. Did you have your pup spayed at the same time? There is mixed reports on spaying at the time of surgery, but in some studies there is a slight decrease in future mammary tumours if you do. I've also heard that a small course of chemotherapy afterwards may be a good idea in case there are a few loose cells.

Keep me posted on how things are going. Let's hope for the best and let's say a prayer for each other. Bozita was supposed to have surgery yesterday but they found 3 spots on her lungs...they don't know what they are, so they didn't proceed with the surgery and did the needle biopsy instead from two breasts to see what they will need to remove from her in surgery...they don't want her under anesthesia for long due to whatever is in her lungs (could be bronchitis, or cancer, etc), so with the results they will be able to take out what's only necessary. Surgery is now scheduled for next wednesday...biopsy results should be back by this friday or saturday.

Good luck and best wishes to you and your pup.
Corinne

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Feb 04, 2010
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Submitted by: Corinne

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Hi, I'm going through the exact same thing as you are this week with my pup Bozita (I put her on this site too)...it's pretty stressful for me, so I can imagine the same is for you. There are a few canine cancers from what I've found in the research (I'm also a nurse)...I imagine they didn't do a needle biopsy first or you would probably know the type of cancer. The lab will give the type and grade of the cancer once it's been analyzed. At that point they will also be able to tell if the vet removed all the edges of the cancer. If the edges are "dirty", this means that there are cells in the last bit of the tumour they removed, so then the decision would be to go back in and remove more of the area, or to do radiation to destroy the last few. Your vet will advise you on the best route with the type of cancer. Did they do a radical mastectomy with lymph node removal, or did they do a lumpectomy (just lump removal)? From my understanding of mammary cancers in dogs, there is a good chance of total recovery with no further need of any kind of treatment if they got all the cancer and it hasn't spread to other sites. Did you have your pup spayed at the same time? There is mixed reports on spaying at the time of surgery, but in some studies there is a slight decrease in future mammary tumours if you do. I've also heard that a small course of chemotherapy afterwards may be a good idea in case there are a few loose cells. Keep me posted on how things are going. Let's hope for the best and let's say a prayer for each other. Bozita was supposed to have surgery yesterday but they found 3 spots on her lungs...they don't know what they are, so they didn't proceed with the surgery and did the needle biopsy instead from two breasts to see what they will need to remove from her in surgery...they don't want her under anesthesia for long due to whatever is in her lungs (could be bronchitis, or cancer, etc), so with the results they will be able to take out what's only necessary. Surgery is now scheduled for next wednesday...biopsy results should be back by this friday or saturday. Good luck and best wishes to you and your pup. Corinne

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