Round cell tumour in dogs

[pootleperkin]

Hi all,

Dad's dog, nine years old, don't know how he is bred, but looks like a black and white mastiff x type, has a tumour on his back leg 'hock' - not too big as yet, looks like a boil or pimple on the skin. Dad reckons it first appeared about two weeks ago and took him to vet almost straight away.

Needle biopsy says it is a round cell tumour and likely to be malignant. He is having it removed on Monday and we'll know when the pathology comes back exactly what we are dealing with and how agressive it is etc. Vet has says that he is too big for an amputation, though that might be for discussion if it came to it.

So does anyone have any experience of similar, advice etc? Dad is obviously very upset, as the dog is his best buddy.

 

[pootleperkin]

No one?

 

[Moomin1]

Have messaged you on fb, not sure if it will be of any help but I am more than happy to do what I suggest if you think it may.

 

[JEZA]

Dear OP
Ive had 4 bull mastiffs, and 2 have died young from cancer, the last one from the round cell tumour.
I dont believe in prolonging treatment too much, although having said that Lizzy had her first "lump" removed and was lump free for about 2 years. Once they started to grow after those 2 years, we kept her ok on steroids for a bit, but as soon as I thought she wasnt really herself, (not eating and drinking and walking very slowly) I had her put down. A beautiful dog.
First bull mastiff I owned also died from cancer at 3 years of age.
Sorry to hear about your dog.

 

[twiglet84]

My 9yr old rottie bitch has just been diagnosed with a histiocytic sarcoma a malignant round cell tumour. She was initially treated at the Royal college for anaemia, and they suspected IMHA secondary to neoplasia. 3 blood transfusions and a CT scan later they identify a mass in her quadriceps muscle which was biopsied. My boss and i then decided to perform a splenectomy as her spleen was large and irregular and could have been destroying her red blood cells too - this was sent for histology and reported the histioctic sarcoma had spread to her spleen. She is now on steroids for her IMHA and doing ok. Average ife expectancy 7weeks, but poss up to 4 months.

There is a chemo drug called lomustine that we could use but for various reasons (young children, not a cure, side effects etc) we opted out of this xx

 

[pootleperkin]

Thanks all.

Jeza, that gives a bit of hope - we'll see how the lumpectomy goes - if he could have another 2 years that would make him a good age for a dog his size.

Twiglet, don't think Dad (or me) would want to take him down the chemo route either.

Sorry about all of your losses x