Mandible Tumor - 8 year old male?

[williamwheeler]

Greetings all!

I'm actually not completely new to RDN - just many email addresses ago, and I needed a new login yesterday.

First off, let me just say that while I come to you all today for one very sad reason, I have come here before, and my Ben is all the better for all of the advice and stories I have come across here on RDN.

A background, my 8 year old male (actually 7 until May 26, 2008) had been experiencing some pain, and shying away from balls, tossed cookies, etc. over the past few months. I took him into the vet to do a once over, see if it was ouchy hips, or blurry vision, or something to cause him to wince away. No real results save for a "let's do a senior checkup."

Another vet visit and another opinion (different vet) and it was a problem with his teeth (dirty, yes, but not damaged) so, a dental workup, xrays, and a test for myositis was all done - Nothing.

It all came to a head this past Sunday night. Ben started yelping at random, nothing stimulating it like before, and each time, it seemed to escalate, and as he was doing this, he began to quickly run around, looking disoriented, and trying to find someplace to hide. It was the behavior changes that had me the most worried. He's such a creature of habit, that breaking his routine (not to mention his normally rock solid obidience) had me deeply concerned.

So, back to the vet - this time he wants to put us on some more painkillers, and i put my foot down, and say "not good enough, there's something wrong with my boy." So, after discussion, I get a referral to a neurologist today (i even asked if it could be bone related, to an answer of, not at all, see the neuro.)

Fast forward to today, and after a neuro consult, they want him under general to get an MRI done. the Neuro's report was "An MRI of the head and cranial aspect of the neck was performed. There is lysis of the right mandible at the level of the temporomandibular joint. There is some periosteal reaction in the surrounding muscle. I am concerned that this may be a bone tumor, but since this is outside of my are of expertise, we will have the scan reviewed by a radiologist."

I'm expecting the results tomorrow, and will share them here. I know better to dwell on what i can't, but its so hard. I was even doing ok until a little later in the waiting room, one of the assistants walked by, placing her hand on my shoulder and said "I'm so sorry, it always happens to the best ones."

I know there's so much to factor in, and so many things to consider from here on out: could the neuro be wrong? how bad is it? is it benign? has it spread already? that doesnt' even touch the issue of treatment...

Before I just wanted answers when I didn't have any - now all i have are more questions - leading up to the big one - how much time do i have with my Ben?

The one thing i do know for sure is this: On the way home, I was thinking all of this, talking with my family, trying to explain the parts I could explain, etc. And I kept looking up into my rearviewmirror, and seeing my boy's big, panting smile looking back at me. If he looks as happy as he did this time yesterday, maybe I should too. God, I love him. He has taught me so much.

- Bill

[Bear's mommy]

I am so sorry to hear about your boy, Ben. While I don't have any experience with tumors or cancer, I know that several members are going through it right now with their beloved dogs. In particular, and I hope she doesn't mind me mentioning her name, I believe that Anne's girl has osteosarcoma in her mandible. There are lots of posts from people who are dealing with osteosarcoma currently in the thread started by Lucasmom called "HELP - My best friend has osteosarcoma".

I just wanted to let you know you will be in my thoughts, and I do hope Ben's results come back benign.

Leslie

[williamwheeler]

Thanks, Leslie...

I actually came here as soon as his behavior started to change, as it was just the 'straw that broke the camel's back.' Though I couldn't post right away as I had to create a new account, and then I found it best to wait until I had the results of his MRI.

Strangely, yesterday, in the midst of his odd behavior, I had scheduled the vet appt. he had yesterday, in which he got the referral to the neurologist, and he had been hiding under my desk (i work at home) which he doesn't normally do. And it was just when i was reading the the "help, my best friend..." thread, and i must admit, i got a little misty, but that's when Ben turned around, and rested his head on my thigh, looking up at me, and didn't move until it was time for the appointment.

Whether it was him comforting me, him telling me that he needed help, or him acknowledging that I had stumbled onto what was going on, or none of the above - I know he was in tune...

Bill

[Anne]

Originally Posted by Bear's mommy

I am so sorry to hear about your boy, Ben. While I don't have any experience with tumors or cancer, I know that several members are going through it right now with their beloved dogs. In particular, and I hope she doesn't mind me mentioning her name, I believe that Anne's girl has osteosarcoma in her mandible. There are lots of posts from people who are dealing with osteosarcoma currently in the thread started by Lucasmom called "HELP - My best friend has osteosarcoma".

Thanks Leslie, I don't mind at all Sophie, who turned 7yo in January this year has osteosarcoma in her right mandible. She showed the first sign of this at the end of August last year. This sign was that she had for two days chewed her bone only on the left side of her mouth. Two days later she had surgery to extract a perfectly healthy looking tooth to find out what was going on with her gum. All we could see without the surgery was a slight gum inflammation but I felt something else was going on. Sophie's teeth have always been in excellent condition.

A sample of tissue was sent to pathology but the diagnosis was inconclusive.
Sophie's gum healed well but in December it flared up again with visible lump where the PM4 pre molar had been extracted. She had surgery again to take 3 tissue biopsies and a positive diagnosis was made. She had osteosarcoma.

Sophie is seeing an oncologist and apart from the growing gum tumor she is doing well. I did not agree to either amputation of her mandible nor chemotherapy. She is on a metronomic drug therapy that is working well for her. Her gum tumor is growing but she is feeling and acting well.

William I would suggest you consult with an oncologist. They are the specialists who will offer you the best options for treatment for your boy.

I wish you all the very best and please keep us posted about your boy.

[AngelBunny]

I am so sorry to read this post. Various types of cancer have taken all my Rotties with the exception of one.

Only an oncologist can answer the questions you posed.

You and your boy are in my thoughts.

[Debbie Ervin]

The only experience I have with tumors is that Ceasar developed a tumor at his brainstem at age 10. His symptoms that caused concern to this diagonsis was he started getting seizures 1 to 2 months apart at first. He would knuckle over on his feet(which is a sure sign of neuro). Off balance. We didn't do a MRI because he was too old almost 11 (at our vets advice), and just treated him with predisone and trymodol and he lived to alittle over 11. Please keep us posted. Debbie

[Bear's mommy]

Originally Posted by williamwheeler

Strangely, yesterday, in the midst of his odd behavior, I had scheduled the vet appt. he had yesterday, in which he got the referral to the neurologist, and he had been hiding under my desk (i work at home) which he doesn't normally do. And it was just when i was reading the the "help, my best friend..." thread, and i must admit, i got a little misty, but that's when Ben turned around, and rested his head on my thigh, looking up at me, and didn't move until it was time for the appointment.

Whether it was him comforting me, him telling me that he needed help, or him acknowledging that I had stumbled onto what was going on, or none of the above - I know he was in tune...

Bill

Yes, that thread is very heartbreaking, especially when you read it everyday and feel as if you've come to know the people and their dogs, but I know how comforting it is to have other people that share your feelings about an animal that you love so dearly and you will definitely find that here.

I believe your boy was in tune and trying to tell you something too. They are such amazing animals, and we are so fortunate to have their unconditional love. I do hope you receive positive news on Ben's results today. You both will be in my thoughts.

Leslie

[williamwheeler]

Ben and I very much appreciate all your thoughts and well wishes. Sadly, the news I received today was not good - the radiology report echoed what the neuro said. My boy has cancer.

We have an appointment this coming monday with an oncologist to see what the next steps are, and what we're up against.

I feel like i'm in a vacuum, and the air has all been sucked away.

[Bear's mommy]

I am so sorry for the horrible news. I was so hoping that this was not going to be the case. Let us know what your oncologist says. You both are in my thoughts.

Leslie

[williamwheeler]

So, a followup - I chatted with my longtime family vet today, and he's got us coming in on saturday morning for a chest xray. He said that, while he didn't want to sound blunt, we needed to find out if it has spread to his lungs before venturing down other paths blindly. I tend to agree, though it feels so definitive, which I guess it is in a way.

Ben has a Fentanyl patch right now, that should make him comfortable for the next few days at least.

I will continue to keep you all updated as we walk down this road together.

In the mean time, I'm just loving on him, and giving him all i have to give, as he has done for me his whole life.

[Debbie Ervin]

I am very sorry for this news. Now you need to be strong and see the oncologist and weigh the options that will make Ben most comfortable and as normal and stress free as possible. My thoughts are with you. Debbie

[jlaack]

Ben and I very much appreciate all your thoughts and well wishes. Sadly, the news I received today was not good - the radiology report echoed what the neuro said. My boy has cancer.

We have an appointment this coming monday with an oncologist to see what the next steps are, and what we're up against.

I am sorry that you are going through this. My only recommendation would be not to biopsy the tumor. If you are having the tumor removed the biopsy can be done after. Often with a biopsy it can cause the cancer to grow faster and spread faster. Keep us posted.

[AngelBunny]

Such terrible news. Cancer is a terrible scourage in our adored breed.

[lucasmom]

I am so very sorry that your boy, Ben, has been diagnosed with cancer. You are not alone as many of us are facing this same dreaded monster of a disease. Please feel free to join us on our thread..."Help...my best friend has osteosarcoma". I started this thread after my beloved 7 year old rottie, Lucas, was diagnosed with OS in his radius.

We have all found support, caring, and love from one another. It doesn't change the outcome of the fate of our "best friends", but it does ease the pain and sense of feeling alone in your sorrow.

Please know that I will be adding Ben to my prayer list of rotties whom we are holding up in prayer daily. My best - Laurie

[Weily4Life]

I am so sorry you didn't have good news today :(

It is always so sad to hear another diagnosis of this dreaded disease.

My thoughts are with you and Ben