Poorly differentiated carcinoma on cats anus

RE: Poorly differentiated carcinoma on cats anus

Sara Ramsey — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 22:47:20 GMT

Thank you so much for your replies, I suspected this was the case and I don't think the owners would go for chemo. I'm hoping to make him comfy whilst everyone comes to terms with the bad news. What a horrible condition, the first one I've seen in a cat.

RE: Poorly differentiated carcinoma on cats anus

Bob Russell — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 16:48:19 GMT

I was a bit surprised to hear from Gerry that these responded to chemo or radiotherapy but then read the second sentence!

I have found these miserably poor to treat both from a results point of view but also patient comfort!

So it is what Gerry says as far as I am concerned!

RE: Poorly differentiated carcinoma on cats anus

Gerry Polton — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 16:24:01 GMT

My experience is that these cases respond measurably to both chemotherapy (I have only used carboplatin) and to radiotherapy. However, it is important to explain what respond means. I have seen tumours become measurably smaller but that size reduction is not sustained for any length of time. In fact, I have one memorable case that essentially seemed to need the carboplatin infusions to limit discomfort and blood loss. One dose led to visible improvement for two weeks then further progression again for one week. It's pretty unrewarding and definitely not for everyone.

To be clear, I wouldn't recommend therapy but I would provide therapy for those who understood the relatively poor response to treatment and wanted to do it anyway.

Gerry