Andrea has asked that this be forwarded to the FML - there was a post about
Bean in Sunday's FML, but this one has more detail about the specfics of
the case.  Many thanks, -Pam S.
 
>From: Andrea M Miralia <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Pheochromocytoma /adrenal medulla
>
>Thanks for the supportive email regarding my ferret, Bean, and her rare
>kind of adrenal tumor.  I'm not scared of typical adrenal surgeries --
>we've had countless surgeries in this house.  What I'm scared of is the
>fact that *this* tumor (pheochromocytoma) is rare and may have metastisized
>in the liver.  That's the risk.  My vet is extremely worried about Bean,
>and doesn't think we really have any options at this point other than
>keeping Bean comfortable.  She's willing to try surgery, but is very
>worried.  She has saved Bean's life several times now, most notably with
>Bean's recent partial-pancreactomy .  She consults with "ferret experts"
>whenever necessary, and has done adrenalectomies before -- that's not the
>case here.  (Some of you wrote saying that adrenal surgery wasn't that big
>of a deal - but this surgery is quite different because of the possibility
>of having to remove part of the liver.)
>
>I need as many medical opinions as I can get, so please post this to the
>FML - I don't have a way to do that right now since I'm offlist.
>
Bean is mildly anemic and is showing a mass on her liver in ultrasound (6
>cm by 3 cm, approx.)
>
>The pathologist thinks the mass is a Pheochromocytoma (or possibly Theo--??
>Hard to hear on my voicemail!) which (as you may know) is a tumor of the
>adrenal medulla.  Pathologist can't say for sure - it could be an ordinary
>adrenal cortex tumor.  It's highly aggressive and malignant in appearance.
>No liver cells were in the sample.
>
>Dr Powers is not optimistic about surgery, but is willing to try it knowing
>the outcome might be Bean not surviving.  She's similarly pessimistic
>about chemotherapy, so I feel helpless.  I respect her opinion absolutely -
>she has saved Bean's life several times now, and sucessfully performed the
>life-saving partial-pancreactomy.
>
>Today I started Bean on Timmy's tonic, in addition to shark cartilage and
>Pet Tinic (to help ease the anemia.) I'm also consulting with a homeopathic
>vet (Charles Loops) who is sending me additional medicines for Bean.
>
>Has anyone  heard of this type of tumor before??  Any suggestions?
>
>Bean has been receiving injections of leuprolide acetate (Lupron) since
>February also.
>
>What I'm concerned with now is what to do for Bean.  Bean has been
>remarkably strong in the past... she's survived two adrenal surgeries
>(there really shouldn't be anything left!), partial-pancreactomy, and
>earlier bouts with heliobacter, ulcers, insulinomic seizures, and one
>surgery several years ago for islet cell tumors.  She's seven this month.
>
>Her only symptoms are less stamina/ more sleeping.  Otherwise, she still
>likes exploring when placed in a new environment.  Her appetite is good.
>Her blood sugar is fine - in the 130s the last three times we checked it.
>
>I don't know if I should risk the surgery or not.
>
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Andrea Miralia
>[log in to unmask]
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Posted in FML issue 2688]