From:
mjanke@miamiferret.org
Date: 2005-05-07 11:50:24 UTC
Subject: RE: Lupron Injections
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <1749452.1115466624319.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Just a little reminder that treatment with Lupron or melatonin doesn't necessarily stall or reduce tumor growth. In fact, I'm here to tell you from personal experience with Penny that Lupron did not stop the growth while it suppressed the symptoms wonderfully.
Penny had adrenal surgery at about 2.5 years. Her left was removed, but at the time, there was no surgeon in this area comfortable with removing the right (which was also affected), and it was simply debulked as much as possible. Penny was started on Lupron (1 mg, 4 month) almost immediately after surgery and Lupron was given every 4 months like clockwork and was continued for 5 years until her death.
This past February, Penny had surgery for several reasons, one of which was a mass near her right kidney. We knew that had to be the adrenal. It was, and it was 2.5 cm in size (almost exactly 1 inch) despite constant Lupron treatment. This is really big. Not fist sized like some, but severely enlarged nonetheless. Yes, the Lupron did an excellent job at supressing the symptoms, but it did not stop the growth of the gland/tumor. Sure, it took five years to get where it was, and it may well have had a growth spurt towards the end, but it grew despite Lupron.
mike