From:
Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2004-03-10 20:04:12 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] adrenal-carcinoma questions
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <20040310200412.48601.qmail@web21410.mail.yahoo.com>
Hi, Lisa,
> I hope someone can give me some info on this. My 3
> yr old little girl had adrenal surgery last week.
> The test results came back that it was a carcinoma.
> I have had several ferrets with adrenal problems but
> never had one with this type of results. What am I
> to expect?
Honestly, exactly the same thing as if it were benign.
While it is possible for adrenal carcinomas to
metastasize it's quite rare. We lost Ryo-Ohki this
way so it's not impossible, but it's not something I'd
worry about right now.
Nyssa had an adrenal carcinoma (left adrenal gland)
removed in 2002 at age three and a half. So far, two
years later, she's had no problems at all and remains
perfectly healthy. Podo had a right adrenal carcinoma
removed not quite two years ago at the age of seven
and a half. He's nine and a half now and we are just
starting to see clear signs that the disease may have
recurred in the other gland.
> The vet said to just keep an eye on her
> to make sure no adrenal symptoms come back or she
> will have to go back in and remove the right gland.
That is not the end of the world by any means.
Pertwee had a left adrenal carcinoma removed at age
one and a half. His disease recurred very quickly and
our vet removed the other gland. He had three and a
half good years after that. We lost him at age five
and a half due to liver cancer, which is completely
unrelated.
> This is cancer right?
Yes, but again, it doesn't usually metastasize
(spread) and surgery is often curative.
> I'm really worried so anyone that can share an
> experience or give me a info would be greatly
> apprectiated.
My advice right now would be not to worry. There is a
really decent chance that she'll be fine for the rest
of her life. There is a chance that the disease will
recur in the other gland, but that can happen whether
or not the tumor is a carcinoma.
The usual disclaimer applies: I am not a vet, but I
have or have had six ferrets with adrenal disease,
three with carcinomas. Of the six only two have had
the disease recur for sure and one more might have a
recurrence in extreme old age.
All the best,
Caity and the super seven
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Search - Find what youre looking for faster
http://search.yahoo.com