Message Number: YG64 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Christopher
Date: 2001-02-20 17:34:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Chordoma

--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., megdar3@n... wrote:
> Xena has a lump growing on the end of her tail, I am almost certain
> it is a chordoma. What else could it be really? I only noticed it
> awhile ago and I have not had the vet look at it yet due to serious
> financial trouble. (We were both unemployed for a long stretch and
> now one of us is working so we are slowly coming back but very
> slowly). My question I guess is how long can I wait? We literally
> have no money but if I have to I will ask the vet to let me make
> payments but I don't know if he will. Is it something that can
wait
> another month? We should be okay by then. It is a small growth,
non
> painful and only on the tip. Otherwise she is normal and healthy.

To quote dr. williams again
<quote>
Chordomas at the tail tip, while unsightly, cause little debility.
While all chordomas are considered potentially malignant, metastasis
is uncommon and has not yet been reported in chordomas arising at the
tail tip.
<end quote>

http://www.afip.org/ferrets/chordoma.html has a good picture. Any
time you delay medical treatment you take a risk. It's probably not
malignant IF it is indeed a chordoma then the odds are in your favor.
Personally I would have it seen and try to defer payment for a month
if your vet is willing. Keep us posted on it!!!