Just went to the vet and picked up a copy of the lab report on Fluffy's tumor. Here's what we're dealing with... I can understand about 90% of the report, but need to do further research to have enough comprehension to make treatment decisions. Full report under "more" for anyone interested...
As an aside, the vet asked what I'm doing with myself now that I'm out of school. I told him I wasn't sure, and he encouraged me strongly (not for the first time) to go to med/vet school, as I have a "history of very strong talent" in medical care for animals. I admit the idea hadn't seriously occurred to me, but as I told him, it's an idea I will be putting a lot of thought into.
Age: 12
Biopsy source: left medial thigh
Diagnosis
1. Larger mass: high grade spindle cell sarcoma
2. Punch biopsy: dermal polypoid adenoma
We received one large subcutaneous mass and a smaller punch biopsy of skin. The large mass is a high-grade soft tissue sarcoma. Differentials include angioleiomyosarcoma and hemangiosarcoma. This is expected to be a locally aggressive tumor, regardless of the exact histogenesis, which most likely has low to moderate potential for metastasis. The tumor appeared completely excised, but extended to within a millimeter of much of the specimen margin. Eventual local recurrence is possible.
The punch biopsy contained a small polypoid adenoma which is apparently arising from ceruminous glands, or some other type of dermal apocrine gland. There were no cytologic or architectural features of malignancy within this specimen. The lesion extended to the specimen margin, and there is low potential for local recurrence.
Posted by moggy at July 10, 2003 02:38 PM | TrackBack
