Friday Cat Blogging: Diagnosis: Lymphoma

As noted previously, our sweet Smudgie has been diagnosed with low-grade lymphoma (from the link):

Lymphoma is graded by the pathologist reading the tissue sample as either “high-grade,” “low-grade,” or “intermediate grade.”  The grade refers to how rapidly the cells appear to be dividing and how malignant they appear with “high grade” being the most malignant. The grade of lymphoma bears on its response to chemotherapy (see below). It is not possible to determine lymphoma grade from a tissue aspirate; an actual piece of tissue must be submitted for biopsy.  As a general rule with lymphoma, higher grades tend to be more responsive to chemotherapy drugs. With feline intestinal lymphoma, however, it is the low grade cases that are capable of fairly long remissions.

Bummed that he got through his fungus only to then have cancer.  It's possibly a bit of a chicken-or-the-egg scenario in that:

• did the fungus lower his immune system, thereby allowing (don't think that's the right word, but it'll do) the cancer to occur?
• did he have undetected cancer for a period of time, thereby lowering his immune system and allowing the fungus to occur?

It's also quite possible the two are unrelated.  As for treatment (again from the above link):

As for low-grade intestinal lymphoma, a study of 50 cats included 36 treated with prednisone and chlorambucil. Here, 69% achieved complete remission for a median duration of 20.5 months.

In Smudgie's case:

• His stitches come out next week and the surgeon gives the okay that all went well with the exploratory surgery.
• Then he goes directly to the oncologist to get him started on treatment.  Typically, the treatment would be prednisone and lucarine (sp?).  Both are pills given at home, so he only has to go in for checkups.  In Smudgie's case (my cats are entirely too special):
  • It's inadvisable to start him on the prednisone until he's had two more zero readings for fungus.  If there's fungus left, the prednisone will only help it regrow.  He'll have his second test next week; the third test will be in another month.  If all goes well, he'll have two more zero results.
  • He'll start the prednisone after he's had three zero results.
  • He'll start on lucarine next week.

If all goes well, he'll pack some ounces back on and continue enjoying a good quality of life for 18-24 months.  There's a possibility that his cancer will remain in remission.  That would be wonderful!

Smudgie's been through a lot this year.  First, he has a hole drilled in his head iot find out what kind of cancer he has behind his eye.  Turned out he had the fungus.  We were so happy to hear that bc it meant: get rid of the fungus and Smudgie lives!  Then, it appears (pending two more zero results) that the fungus is gone, but he's still losing weight.  What gives?  Unfortunately, they were unable to get definitive info from x-rays, ultrasound and even needle biopsy so, again, Smudgie goes under the knife and has exploratory surgery done.  They found and biopsied:

• the gnarly lymph nodes
• some 'lumps and bumps' in his liver
• a bit of intestine bc it appeared thickened

Smudgie's belly, post-surgery:

It's looking good.  There doesn't appear to be any infection, he doesn't fuss with it and there's no heat coming off of it, so I think it's healing quite nicely.  Kitties are always toasty warm, but shaved skin is especially warm.  Maybe bc there's no fur between my hand and their skin.

Through it all, Smudgie has remained his sweet, mushball self.  As I type, he's sitting right here next to me on the bed.  He's continued to come around for love, pets, treats, hiney (sp?) scritches, belly rubs, etc.  I'll leave you with a peaceful picture of Smudge snoozing in his favorite spot of late, the slumberball.

Comments

[whaleshaman]

gentle get-better-soon mommy kisses for smudgie's beautiful tummy. what a nice boy.

it's easy to tell how much you love him.

[lago]

My cat Bucket suddenly started to breath in a rapid rate one day. I was afraid she had a respiratory infection so I took her to the vet. A day later the vet called us in to inform us that Bucky had lymphoma. He asked what we wanted to do, and explained, if treated properly, she could live another 9 months. She was only 3 years old at most at the time. I decided I was going to do whatever I could, and I started to throw money at the situation.

About $1,500 and 3 days later, Bucky died.

[Annie]

Iago

I'm very sorry about Bucket. It's so hard when a beloved cat dies.

We were not surprised when Smudge was diagnosed with lymphoma. His littermate, Archie, died from high-grade lymphoma three years ago. We'd already decided that if Smudgie had high-grade lymphoma, we wouldn't repeat the chemo that Archie had bc it brought so little extra time and was more involved from the cat's POV. We're hoping Smudgie has the best possible outcome from his low-grade lymphoma, but guess we have no choice but to take whatever time we can get with our sweet little kitty.

Again, condolences on the loss of your Bucket.

Annie

[Annie]

Whaleshaman, Smudgie is always up for belly kisses and belly rubs...and I am more than happy to pass on some belly kisses!

[Megan & Bad Kitty Cats]

We are purring and praying for Smudgie to return to happy health soon. Wow, that is a scar, but he is a tough kitty. You have our love! Scritches and HeadBumps and Happy Holidays

[Amy H]

My cat has just been diagnosed with intermediate grade lymphoma - I cannot find very much information on that form. Do you know of where I can look? Thanks!

[Lisa]

Just wondering what ever happened with Smudgie? I have a cat - 14 years old - with low grade lymphoma. Just started her on prednisone and chlorambucil (luceryn) - after 4 doses ever other day, she has thrown up quite a bit so we stopped it. The vet wants to reduce the dosage to once every 4 days. Just wondering if you had any luck? I sure hope so - what a pretty and very loved cat. Thanks!

[Annie]

Hi Lisa. I am very sorry to take so long to reply. Smudgie died in March, 2008. Wrt prednisone: Our other cat, Dolly (who is Smudge and Archie's littermate), is on budesonide and chlorambucil now. She has GI problems and we kind of expect her to get cancer someday, too. We tried her on prednisone, but she always threw it up within minutes of taking it. She tolerates the budeosnide much better and rarely vomits at all. Her stools have improved greatly and she's even gained a little weight. You may want to ask your vet if budesonide is an option for your kitty.