Tiger can finally breathe!!!!!

[Catty1]

Here is Part 2 - it is fairly general information, but worth a look.
http://www.fabcats.org/owners/infosh...r/cancer2.html

Also - what I have read so far indicates that SCC does not spread like other cancers. Might be hopeful.

1. This one is new...may be hard to find, and the cancer has to be on or near the skin. So far.

"Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been shown to be an effective treatment modality for surface-oriented neoplasms of the skin, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urogenital systems. The purpose of our study was to assess the safety and efficacy of PDT using Photofrin in the treatment of squamous cell carcinomas of feline facial skin."

2. There are several chemotherapy drugs that have been studied for the treatment of SCC in cats. The likelihood of a patient experiencing meaningful tumor shrinkage with chemotherapy is less than 10%, but the tumor may shrink a small amount or stop growing for a time. Chemotherapy for this type of cancer is typically given once every 3 weeks, starting with 2 treatments and then determining whether there is benefit of further therapy.
Chemotherapy is generally well tolerated with some cats experiencing mild side effects that usually go away without treatment. Less than 5% of cats experience severe side effects that would require hospitalization and supportive care.

3. The use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs may be useful for cats with SCC. These drugs (meloxicam and piroxicam) may help to slow tumor growth, especially when combined with radiation or other chemotherapy drugs. In addition, these medications are also potent pain relievers.

4. Another good link: http://www.zzcat.com/resources/treatment.htm

Near the bottom of the page there is a long list of alternative treatments...they stress talking with your vet.

REMEMBER - PT People will help if you need it. iMOM.org also helps with non-normal surgeries. Maybe just peek at their website and see if you would qualify. If you don't need it, great - and if you do, you will have a heads-up already about it.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear that Tiger's results say he has cancer. I sure hope that you'll be able to keep him comfortable and that he'll be able to live many more years with you. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent his way.

[Laura's Babies]

Man! I hate to hear it is cancer... He looks like he is feeling so much better and he is such a handsome boy. My prayers will be with you and him in hopes of of finding some way to treat this.

[Hellow]

Couldnet they just laser it out?

[Medusa]

Boy, Lara, this is a toughie. We're all praying that some form of treament is going to work and that Tiger is going to come through this. Lots of prayers headed your way and noggin noogies to Tiger.

[Catty1]

Lara - if you can find someone to do the lasering, there will be a way to get it done.

For example: If there was treatment in another town or city - there might be a PTr who could temporarily foster Tiger. Etc. Possibilities abound.

Hopefully an oncologist could do it. Please keep us posted if you are going to try something.

Keep the faith!

[Emeraldgreen]

Thanks for all the supportive messages everybody.
Candace, I really appreciate the research you've done on behalf of Tiger. It means a great deal. I'm at work right now and have quickly read through the posts but will reread everything in great detail when I get home and will post again after that Lara