Take a look at this vet pathologist write-up on chordoma and see if the
growth on your ferret's tail is like this:
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/chordoma.html
 
with its concise discussion beginning
>Chordomas are the most common musculoskeletal neoplasm of the domestic
>ferret.  While classically found at the tip of the tail, chordomas have
>also been reported in the cervical spine.  These neoplasms arise from
>remnants of primitive notochord found in the spinal column.  They are
>locally aggressive...
 
Melanie, are you sure the adrenal growths were a cancer?  Most are NOT.
(They still need surgery, though.) Is pathology being done?  The
prognosis will depend on the type of growth.
 
Also, you said that both came out but you did not mention meds to replace
essential adrenal products.  To avoid Addisons Crises Percortin and
Prednisolone, or Florinef and Prednisolone are given.  Since Addisons is
so very dangerous and the ferrets do so well on the meds they are
sometimes given even if not all tissue comes cleanly at first till it is
sure that the remaining tissue can produce enough of the adrenal products
to be consistent with survival.
 
Even today, Stephanie, there are the same problems often enough with
treating glaucoma in ferrets so eye removal is very common with it.
(FYI, glaucoma can be painful.)
 
BTW, ferrets are primarily scent oriented and their eye sight is often
poor even normally.  There are past discussions in the archives of both
the FML and FHL on using safe scents to map an area and to send nasal
warnings of hazards like door jams and furniture to reduce accidents.
 
-- Sukie  (as usual:  not a vet -- it's been a couple of weeks since i
mentioned that last)
2 smiles for all FML members:
http://www.cornfieldmaze.com/site_list.html
http://www.octodog.net/
Incredible:
http://vestige.lmsal.com/TRACE/POD/TRACEpodarchive4.html
[Posted in FML issue 4664]