FINALLY, we have a diagnosis: Adenocarcinoma
Infiltrative mass originating at the stomach; a thin flat mass on the outerwall. Metastases to liver, lymph nodes, and mesentery. Interestingly, the pancreas was unaffected.
Overall, good news it would seem. Not known to be painful (but certainly uncomfortable) and NOT heritable. We have a 1/2 brother, Jake, so this is a relief.
Just 14 weeks ago Mac's blood work, including liver numbers, were normal... so either this spread like wildfire or he was able to cope with it well. Due to the originating mass's form and location, only an MRI or exploratory surgery would have found it (the examining vet said that maybe *somebody* could have seen it on the ultrasound, but since two Internal specialists did the sonograms that's pretty remote). The stomach was was not perforated, so endoscope wouldn't have found it either. And, even had it been diagnosed, the recommended margins are 8 cm so it was inoperable anyway.
It is impossible still to believe that a week ago yesterday (Thurs) Mac was cantering in the pasture. Our days are emptier without him.
No comments:
Post a Comment