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]