| If this is a soft tissue sarcoma, that could be a reason the vet wants a tissue sample to identify the type before discussing options. Some cancers are very aggressive, some are slow growers...that makes a big difference in decisions regarding care and prognosis.
Sometimes the best thing that happens from posting on a forum like this is it helps us articulate the questions we have for the vet. You are asking good questions here, and questions I would ask the vet. Ask him why a tissue sample is needed and what difference it will make for Max's future.
For a bone cancer or aggressive soft tissue cancer, where it is likely to be throughout the body at a cellular level and not just at the tumor site, and likely to come back with a vengeance, that is one thing. If it is a self-contained slow grower where removal gives her a good chance on down the road, that is another.
I'm sorry Max and you are faced with this...it's never easy, it's downright scary, but we have no choice but to face it because our dogs rely on us to do that for them. The important thing is to understand how the decisions that are made for her will affect her quality of life going forward and for how long she will have a good quality of life. I personally feel that for conditions that are not survivable the dog should not be subjected to heroics in treatment, but should be released from suffering.  |