From:
Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-11-16 23:09:00 UTC
Subject: Re: spindle cell tumours again + ?what
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "estellejackson"
<estelle.jackson@e...> wrote:
> Hi
> I have posted a couple of tomes re. my little boy Zorro. He has had
seven skin tumours removed so far in an area rangeing from his leg
to the middle of his back. They have been "popping up" every now and
again for the last year. The labs reckoned that they weren't related
as these tumours ( spindle cell sarcomas) don't normally metastasise.
I wasn't very happy with their conclusion as that is all they offered
as their comment. Dr Bruce Williams said that it could be one large
tumour that keeps erupting in these places ( which I thank him for as
this makes a lot more sense) So we have just been removeng each
tumour as it pops up. ( If left they ulcerate and annoy Zorro that
much it puts him off his food)
> The problem being now is that there are three more that have
erupted , all close together and so can be excised by one large
excision. That wouldn't be too much of a problem were it not for the
fact that I have found another lump!
> This one is situated inguinally (in his groin) . It is quite
large , probably about four centimeters across and is quite mobile (
so should be easy enough to shell out depnding on what it is
attatched to) but iteems to press on his os penis so I am sure it
must be uncomfortable for him (he's a brave little guy who never
complains) . I need to send this lump off for analysis but at the
moment I have little faith in our lab ( I don't think they are very
ferret knowledgeable). Does anybody know if a skin tumour such as
that described could escalate to something like this! I don't know
what I'm looking at and it is all getting a bit scary !
Dear Estelle:
You may be looking at something else. There is a large lymph node in
the inguinal region, so it is wise to remove this lump especially and
get it looked at, to rule out lymphoma. If it is pressing on the
penis, I think we shold also consider the possibility of a apocrine
sweat gland tumor of the prepuce, which also can be very malignant.
Let's get this out and sent in, even to your faithless lab.
With kindest regards,
bruce williams