Squamous Cell Carcinoma SCC Feline newly diagnosed

[grct19]

Hi,
We're seeking more information about Squamous Cell Carcinoma SCC. Our 15 year old male bengal was diagnosed yesterday. The diagnosis was made by the Dr. looking at the mouth/tongue and the Dr. was 90% certain it is SCC and made the comment that only cancer bleeds like this. We made the appointment to see a vet this week because we noticed drooling and an ulcerating area with some faint blood in the saliva that certainly was not there before. This has all come on so fast and out of the blue.

For some background our cat has had IBD that has been well controlled since diagnosis 4 years ago. Currently is prescribed presnisolone and tylosin for the IBD. Before the IBD there were food allergies and under a vets care we tried different recommendations and the only thing that did the trick was ground bison and sweet potato, which we have home cooked since for our sweet boy. He has been very healthy and stable and always in a vets care regularly at appointments for the IBD, which is why we're having a hard time believing this could have happened.

We want to be sure we're doing all the right things and have all the information that we can find on medications etc. Also the Dr. did not recommend doing any additional tests to confirm what she has already diasnosed as SCC, so there has been no biopsy, x-rays etc. The Dr. remarked that she had a cat that she owned that had the same thing. And she also said that once she had a better look in his mouth that it heads down the throat and that even with chemo and radiation it won't give him much more time and that it will recur. The Dr. prescribed gabapentin for pain and told us to double the dose of the presnisolone that our boy is currently on. We go back to the Dr. in 2 weeks to check and see if the tumor is any smaller and to see pur furbabys prognosis. Does anyone please have any experience with this?

[Mollycat]

Sorry to read this, can totally understand your confusion and doubt as no exams have been performed. I am not a vet, all I can share with you is personal experience.

I had a cat develop skin cancer on the nose planum, the flat wet hairless part of the nose. In her case it looked like a scab, her nose was black and it was just a couple of little bumps. We had her nose "skimmed" taking off the outer skin layer which left her nose pink but without any open wound, so quite superficial, non-invasive and easy. The nose gradually came back to black, and soon after we noticed more little bumps. Vet confirmed without tests that it was back as it often is. He offered deeper skimming or chemo or both, but said it was slow evolving and we needn't make an immediate decision. The cat was we believed about 8-10 years old at the time. We decided to see how it developed and it was the best decision, it never caused her a problem and never spread to her respiratory tract. She died a very old lady about 5 years later so as it turns out she was a lot older than we had been told, but regardless it was the right decision for her.

On the other hand I had a perfectly healthy 14 year old whose appetite just slowed down a bit but was otherwise really bright, come in one day looking as though he had been hit by a car. Emergency vet revealed a mouth tumour and these are extremely aggressive and the surgery involves removing part of the jaw bone. We had no choice but to let him go, and everything I have read about mouth tumours since tells me I would have made the same decision if he had been 4 years old. The trauma of treatment would have been just enormous with the odds not that favourable. Sorry to share this but that's both sides of how I have experienced both sides.

[booktigger]

I'm sorry to hear this, I lost a cat to SCC and unfortunately it is an aggressive cancer, I opted not to do any tests. Metacam may be helpful, it's a COX inhibitor which can also down cancer.

[grct19]

Thank you for the information I appreciate it greatly. I'm glad to hear that one of the kitties did well. So sorry to hear about your 14 year old. I guess at this point we're hoping it turns out to be something else like Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex. Although I know this is a reach. We may just do the biopsy since our Dr. told us it would be light anesthesia. We heard of a drug that is in clinical trials called IB-DNQ, but in order to participate it requires a biopsy confirming that the cat has SCC and that the cat has not undergone and chemo or radiation. At this point we're aren't considering removal, chemo or radiation as the tumor seems very involved according the the vet. After she got a good look with very bright lights she did not mention the chemo and radiation and we know why.

[grct19]

I'm sorry to hear this, I lost a cat to SCC and unfortunately it is an aggressive cancer, I opted not to do any tests. Metacam may be helpful, it's a COX inhibitor which can also down cancer.

Thank you we will look into this. I'm so sorry for your kitty.

[booktigger]

The downside to doing a biopsy with the area already bleeding is there is a greater risk of an uncontrollable bleed, not sure I'd risk it

[grct19]

The downside to doing a biopsy with the area already bleeding is there is a greater risk of an uncontrollable bleed, not sure I'd risk it

Thank you. I had those same thoughts since it bled some when it was checked out yesterday. We will definitely keep this in mind and weigh it against other options. Our goal is no suffering and or unnecessary prolonging. He's very good today and doing well. There hasn't been any blood since the small amount after the exam. Our boy is active and eating/drinking as normal and cuddling with his pal. Although the drooling continues especially when sleeping, but no blood visible. We noticed pawing at the face and trying not to use that side of the tongue today unfortunately.

[grct19]

He's doing great today (Sat 4/13). I'd call today a victory because the pain meds (gabapentin) are kicking in more, his appetite is great, he was playing and basking in the sun. You can tell he feels so much better already. We saw another Dr. today who also thinks it's SCC under the tongue. She was great, as is our regular vet and gave us a lot of info. on oncology and where to go, so we're going to get all that set up right away. We were given some immune boosting supplements. One of the supplements is Feline Immune system support by the brand Standard Process. The other supplement is called Wholly Immune. Does anyone have any experience with either of these?

This vet cautioned us on adding anything that might make our cat turn his nose up at food, so although we have the supplements on hand we haven't used them yet as we're afraid to rock the boat since he's doing so well and his weight is up.

The Dr. also mentioned that a biopsy in his case may not be needed and an oncologist might take his case without a biopsy and prescribe meds and a treatment plan etc. I don't get the feeling that any vet wants him to have a biopsy. I'm assuming it's blatantly obvious to them, so we are torn as of whether or not we should even do it. We are going to pursue treatment plans and meds etc., but also feel it would be good to know 100%, but aren't sure if the risks of bleeding are worth it?

Lastly at today's visit the Dr. had mentioned that we could possibly have the meds compounded into one or two pills. He's getting 4 now and I'm unsure as to how long he will tolerate the repeated pills as the condition goes on. Has anyone done this and how did it work out? Thanks for reading.

[Hipkit]

I don't want to raise your hopes because I've also had a cat who died from SCC. However, two vets were both convinced that Victoria had SCC but the biopsy came back as esinophic granuloma. The vet was hugely surprised because it looked so much like SCC. I had already begun to grieve for her before getting the surprising results.

But Max, a beautiful black and white cat, died from SCC many years back. His was under the tongue, but he also had a biopsy, mainly to convince me that this wonderful cat was dying.

My thoughts are with you; but for your own peace of mind, I'd advise having a biopsy done; it just depends on your take on the matter.

[Antonio]

I'm so sorry to read of your cat.

My cat had the same thing, she had a cancer under her tongue. She started with losing some tiny drops of blood from her mouth, I would find them on the floor, in her food or in her water.
On a day I opened and checked into her mouth and found this lump under her tongue. I rushed her to the vet clinic, they said it was just inflammation and gave her an antibiotic. Three weeks later it was clear what it was, and the biopsy cleared up all doubts.

The cat had a CT scan done, she received the radio therapy and chemo therapy, she died 5 months later.
This thing broke my heart and changed my life forever. It's been 26 months ago, but I never managed to get over it.

I'm deeply sorry because I do know what that means

[Grace56]

I am so sorry to read this. SCC is a beastly thing, I know because my beautiful boy, Dave had it on his nasal plenum. It started as a small spot and I was told it was ok. It started to get bigger and we tried all sorts until one of the practice vets suggested we try cryotherapy. It made not a scrap of difference and the cancer spread to his throat.
I kept my boy comfortable with Metacam and the best food he would/could eat.
He did stay quite active until he began to bleed from his mouth. He was distressed and I made the awful decision to say goodbye and release him from his pain and fear.

I have since heard that CBT oil can have good results with SCC. Plus turmeric along with a ‘protocol’ involving certain kinds of food. There are many sites online which specialise in advice and help with this type of cancer in cats. I’d research as much as possible and find out which may be best for your little one.

[adnil1962]

My 16 year old cat was just diagnosed with SCC this week and I have been told it is inoperable due to size. We did do the biopsy as we had hopes it might have been something else. He is eating fine, snuggling & playing. The pain meds have stopped the drooling.

We are trying to decide next steps. He has a consult with an oncologist Monday - the ER Vet thinks he has weeks without treatment, she said if it were her cat she wouldn't put him through radiation. We want to do what's best for him but at this point just don't know what that is...

[Mollycat]

We want to do what's best for him but at this point just don't know what that is...

Really feel for you, it's impossible isn't it? We don't want to give up on them but we don't want to put them through the mill for nothing. Whatever you decide, you will have doubts later - try to keep grounded and remember at the time you are always doing the best you can with the information you have at the time. We never set out to do the wrong thing and sometimes our best turns out maybe not to be THE best. And that's ok because after all we are only human and our beloved pets would forgive us.