From:
Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2001-12-17 17:34:00 UTC
Subject: Re: [Ferret-Health-list] adenocarcinoma has metastasized?
Hi, Natasha,
>
> I have a sad question to ask. When my 5 1/2 year old sprite, Xena, had
> surgery for adrenal and insulinoma a couple of weeks ago, they removed the
> left adrenal. The path report came back as adenocarcinoma.
I've seen the same on three of my ferrets.
> It also said
> that they found cancer cells in the surrounding adipose tissue that was
> taken at the margins of the tumor. My vet takes this, as do I, as a good
> sign that it has probably metastasized.
I am not a vet, but... With all due respect, I must say my vet (who is
well known as a ferret vet and would probably be a familiar name to many
on this list) would disagree. Nyssa and Pertwee both had tumors which
went through and beyond the capsule of the adrenal gland. My vet told
me that if he got it all the chances that it had not metastasized was
very good.
It's been nearly two years since Pertwee had that report, and while the
adrenal disease did recur in his right gland (which was removed in
another surgery) there has been no sign of cancer anywhere else, and
he's still bouncing off the walls here :)
> Can someone give me some direction?
Again, I'm not a vet. Having said that, I still think there is every
chance she'll be fine :)
All the best,
Caity and the terrific 10