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Discussion on Penile cancer | |
Author | Message |
New Member: sirpal |
Posted on Friday, Oct 31, 2008 - 1:08 am: I have a 27 year-old Arabian gelding who doesn't look or act his age. I found out that he had squamous cell carcinoma on the tip of his penis about a year and a half ago. It wasn't too serious at the beginning. The vet did two attempts at just removing the bad tissue, but the cancer came back. We then did a series of four cisplatin injections at the cancer site. The last one was three months ago and things looked good. I noticed a few days ago that the area looked worse that it ever has (it's really hard to get a look at it). The vet checked it out today and the cancer is definitely still there and more aggressive than ever. I don't understand why it has come back so quickly and so aggressively. The treatment options given were to amputate, or try cisplatin beads (a small capsule of the drug can be inserted into an incision and left there to release over about a month). My questions are: Can cancer cells develop a tolerance for a drug? Is there another drug to try? How dangerous is surgery? We can't tell if the cancer has spread. All we can see is ugly tissue around the opening to the urethra. He is fat and healthy otherwise. He doesn't have a problem urinating, although lately he's shown signs that it might be a little uncomfortable. I love my horse. I know he is old, and I have spent more money than I can afford already on these procedures. He is healthy in every other way, unless there is something brewing unseen. He loves to go out on the trails and has lots of spunk. If anyone has any experience or advice to give, please do! Thank You |
Moderator: DrO |
Posted on Friday, Oct 31, 2008 - 8:14 am: Welcome Lisa,Sorry to hear about your horse Lisa, this is a tough problem and you should consider surgery as quickly as possible, in my opinion. Taking your questions in order: 1) Yes, it does seem cancer becomes more resistant with each failed attempt at treatment. Another explanation is that it was resistant to begin with. Either way your first failure lowers the prognosis for the second attempt. 2) You will find alternative treatments at Diseases of Horses » Skin Diseases, Wounds, and Swellings » Bumps / Nodules / Warts / Tumors » Squamous Cell Carcinoma. However surgery would be the recommended course at this time. 3) In experienced hands with proper facilities, a fairly routine with few complications. I have done field phallectomies with the assistance of another veterinarian and 2 assistants and they are tough. I highly recommend referral to a hospital with surgery facilities. DrO |
New Member: sirpal |
Posted on Friday, Oct 31, 2008 - 11:40 pm: Thank you for getting back to me so soon, Dr. Oglesby. From reading this and other posts on the subject of penile cancer, it seems that the amputation surgery isn't the worst thing in the world. I take my horse to the high-tech equine clinic in town where they do all sorts of surgeries. They estimated $2,000.00 for the surgery. I know the bill would get much higher than that with all of the aftercare and check-ups that would probably be needed. I know costs vary in different parts of the country, but does this sound average to anyone? What is a horse's life like without his equipment? Lisa Lochner and Pal |
Moderator: DrO |
Posted on Saturday, Nov 1, 2008 - 9:37 am: It is like you say Lisa, prices vary as does technique and equipment available. Expectations would vary too depending on all these details. If you think this is bit high certainly check around but for a good surgery table, recovery room, and gas anesthesia that would be reasonable.DrO |