Hello All, I write this with a heavy heart as I confirmed last Wednesday that Thisbe has another mast- cell tumor, 7 weeks out from her amputation.  She was doing great and then about a week ago she got super- lethargic and stopped eating and on Easter Sunday, this massive swelling started happening right above her amputation.  We took her to the emergency vet clinic and she had 105 degree fever and lots of inflammation.  The ER doctor aspirated it and gave her some pain meds and sent us home.  Monday morning we were at our vet's office to see the vet that did her amputation, my vet was on vacation but he knew all about Thisbe's case.  The look on his face I can only describe as horrified.  He was very concerned, said he believed this to probably be another MCT, was worried about her now 104 fever and the size of the swelling that popped up overnight (or did it?)  The Monday before she went to get her Lepto shot and they noticed a bump but decided it was part of the re- musculature of her shoulder after the amputation.  Wednesday he called me and told me it was another MCT (from the aspiration.)  We went to see a veterinary oncologist today and she didn't do any tests, just a physical exam and read over all the notes and previous labs.  She went on how she wish we had biopsied the amputation, or got a grade, or why didn't the lymph node get taken, etc.  During Thisbe's amputation the doc told me the lymph node was so small it couldn't be found, and they didn't want to dig down through her delicate tissue and arteries to find it.  This oncologist though thinks that since it's on the same side, even though her anatomy and lymph nodes are a little rearranged on that side, this is probably a travel MCT, not a new one, but we can't be sure.  She was very pragmatic and spoke quickly and told us about some things like radiation, Palladia (we did Kinavet previously unsuccessfully), and said that the margins were too undefined to do surgery, she didn't think it would help. 

We left with pamphlets and the promise to call in a couple of days after we thought about it.  I'm seeing my vet tomorrow morning, to talk to her since she's been on vacation while all of this happened.  The oncologist wouldn't give anything solid, but said she doesn't think we will be able to cure Thisbe of the MCT's.  That even though they are not graded they seem aggressive bc of the size and quick swell.  She will prob continue to get them.  She said radiation, though expensive, can help on MCT's though, but only sometimes.  ???   I know we couldn't get any definitive answer, but I need as much info. as I can to make pretty sure I'm not putting her through a lot and its not going to help at all, though I know that's not something that's predictable.  I asked her if the radiation did work, would it buy us 5 years or so, and to my surprise she said, no, 1-2 if we're lucky.  However, I can't do nothing.  I am leaning towards doing radiation followed by Palladia, as she tolerated Kinavet side effects well, though it didn't seem to work too good.  I don't know, this is all so depressing.  I was so happy after the amputation, and then already it's back again.  In the meantime, my grandfather whom I have been taking care was placed on Hospice today, and my birthday was yesterday... the hits just keep on coming...  sorry guys, just feeling sorry for myself- and Thisbe, I guess.   When it rains... it pours.  Has anyone had success or no success with radiation treatment on MCT's?  Did you also have surgery and/ or do chemo?