Quote Originally Posted by K9soul
Just got back from the vet. They did not get all the cancer, and it is beginning go grow back already. Pathology told him it would not be able to be excised, it is too deep. He is calling the University of MN to find out what our options are, but it will have to be something radical in order to stop it from metastasizing if she is to have a chance. Best case I am hoping for is if they think radiation will be effective. He also said we may have to remove part of her jaw.

My whole body feels sick and numb. God help us through this please.
In looking at the picture of your puppy, my Barney could be its twin.

Have the Vets yet to do an ultrasound on the body cavity checking for metastasis? Obviously if it has already spread then radical surgery isn't going to do much after the fact. If it hasn't been done, I'd ask the UM to check for metastasis.

I agree with your thoughts the best case is that if it hasn't gone into the underlying bone. Then another surgery with wider margins, and very quicky followed up with radiation might get it. One item I ran across in the literature is that the sooner after surgery radiation is done, the more effective it is in zapping left over cells. The reason is that scar tissue forming from the operation can form a partial shield for remaining cancer cells not removed. Time periods mentioned for radiation treatment starting was under a week post surgery for best results.

Hopefully you'll get the best case scenario out of the situation.