Expert: Jana Connell RVT, CVT - 6/1/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi There, my friends dog has been diagnosed reccently with the above, of the jaw line & roof of mouth.  The vet operated and attempted to remove most of the tumour but said she could feel the tumor into the jawline and possibly spreading into the eye socket area.
They are going to attempt to go back in and 'burn' off the remaining tumor that can be reached.  Is there any way to prolong the quality of the dogs life?.. would chemo help? the vet stated removal of partial of the jawline would be the only way and the dog would be disfigured.
i'm hoping for any help in prolonging the quality of life for the dog.

ANSWER: I am not an expert on chemo with dogs but I know they usually tolerate it better than we do. However, quality of life is not the same as length of life so whatever they do for him, they must be realistic about prolonging his agony to give them more time with him.

This is a very aggressive cancer which does not always respond to chemo. I would think that if they wanted him to have a quality life with the time he has left that they would not put him through a very painful surgery just to gain a month or so.

It isn't just disfiguring, it is very painful to recover from since a lot of bone is removed. Somehow spending your last months recovering from surgery and in pain is not my idea of a "quality life."

Ultimately your friends have to decide this for themselves, but as a vet tech I can tell you that it isn't worth putting the dog through that for any reason.

Let him spend the rest of his time relatively pain free until the cancer advances and he can't eat anymore or it affects his eye.

Then it's time to think about him and give him the gift of ending his suffering.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: is it possible to get all the tumor out with the burning process? or is it likely just prolonging the inevitable?

my friend is not even considering removal of the jaw for the same reasons you mentioned.  i have attached the results from the lab/vet.  i guess we are hoping for a miracle.

Answer
There was no attachment. It is almost impossible to get every cell. Especially in an area like this. If the vet does a wide enough margin that might prolong his life by 6 months or so, and won't be as hard to recover from or take as long.

All of this is prolong the inevitable Shelly no matter what. That is a hard thing to accept but it's the truth.

I know this won't be easy for her and you are a good friend to do the research for her as well. I know you will be just as good of one when it's time for this dog.

My thoughts will be with you. Please let me know how he does.