Adrenal Cancer Symptoms

Question: Has anyone out there had a necropsy done on their horse with Cancer? Please only answer this question if you have had or known personally a horse that has had necropsy performed on post euthanasia. My boy has a form of lymphatic cancer that is starting to cause a vast array of symptoms. Before anyone says "get a vet" My vet and I are in constant contact sharing information and ideas, and we've already made the very hard decission to euthanaise before winter! He does not have cushings, but he has some cushings symptoms. He has never shown signs of insulin resistence (IR). Never foundered or developed any form of laminitis. Has always been a very lively, fit, and Very enthusiastic happy horse. Bloods always come back normal. We've ruled out thyroid, liver, kidney, heart and lungs, auto immune, gastric, viral, deficiencies, and anything else you can probably think of. In the last month though, he has developed some serious hormone issues. A horse that even as a 2yr old (prior to gelding) showed very little testosterone, and as long as I've had him (was gelded at 4) Has always been so much of a 'fairy' friends of mine kept offering to buy him pink handbags and I've been prestented with pink and purple gear, because friends have seen it in shops and it was too hard to pass up buying it for my prince(ss) He is now acting like a stallion @ 20yrs. I wanted to know if you've had necropsies done on a horse with lymphatic or similar cancers, whether it was just the pituitary glands or adrenal glands as well? also... What else was found to be affected? No guess work please!! Keep it as scientific and factual as possible, Thanks Thanks Dale, I am aware of what necropsies are, and of the massive expense involved. That is why I was asking if any one had had one done as it may give me some ideas as to his care, and organ support. He is doing fairly well at the moment (it is early summer here). And is mentally quite happy. There is no way I'll be able to afford the thousands of dollars required for all the lab work. So thus why the question if any one out there had spent the money and had it done. We have been dealing with low grade obscure symptoms with this boy for about 3 years, and in a way are glad that is has actually shown it's face and allowed us to put a name to it, even if it is a little "general" I think you may have missunderstood this question. I am not asking about the process of necropsy/ autopsy. The question I'm asking is " what have others found" if they have done this. I actually have no intention of doing a necropsy myself. I already know it is cancer. I already know it is affecting his pituitary and adrenal glands. My question is about what others have found. I am not euthanaising him just so I can do a necropsy, my query is purely related to my care and drug usage, and relevance of possible contraindications and side effects of these. What symptoms to treat and which should be left alone as treatment could be contraindicative to other symptoms. PS. it is SUMMER here right now. He is not being euthanaised till OUR winter. ie MAY 2010.

Answer: Hi, I'm really sorry to hear about your horse. While I've not had a horse of mine necropsied, I have been trained to do necropsies, and I've been present during horse necropsies, as as well as done necropsies on other species. In theory, when doing a necropsy, tissue samples should be taken from every major organ, and submitted for histopathology. Sometimes, organs may be grossly normal, but microscopically abnormal, and vice versa. Unfortunately, financial constraints often limit the amount of workup you can do, so samples are restricted to 'likely' samples. In this case, you correctly point out that the brain (pituitary) might be worth sampling (or at least looking at grossly for evidence of abnormalities) as well as the adrenals. In general though, there should be a careful, gross examination of all major organ systems. I would pay particular attention to the kidneys (lymphosarcoma likes to sit in the kidneys) as well as the GI tract (lots of lymphoid tissue there), and various lymph nodes throughout the body. I would recommend, that regardless of what samples your vet submits for histo-path, that he collects samples from just about every where. That way if you don't get your answers with the first 'round' of samples, you have the possibility to go back for a second round of tests. Its always possible that your vet will open him up, and find some very obvious internal pathology, and it might not even be worth submitting anything for further workup. Hope that helps a little, and I hope you get the answers you're looking for. Edit: That's why I think you should start by only submitting samples from areas of obvious pathology, *but* collect samples from everywhere (can't go back and get possibly important samples later). Collecting samples (should be) cheap. They just have to remove a piece and chuck it in some formalin. Its the histopathology and interpretation that becomes most expensive. I've seen vets do a 'field necropsy' in a fairly short order, superficially examining pretty much everything for obvious signs of pathology. Hopefully you'll see something obvious when you get in there, or at least something suspect, and you can focus the further diagnostic workup. Regardless of if you choose to work up the adrenals and the pituitary, I'd recommend taking samples of them (pituitary might be more expensive to get a sample of though), as well as taking samples (that you can hold back from the lab) of elsewhere, so you can follow the diagnostic story to its conclusion. There is nothing more frustrating than seeing evidence of potential pathology, but be unable to follow it up because you never took a sample of the appropriate organ.

Question: My dog is dying of cancer? I've had her since I was five years old, and I can't imagine life without her. She has a tumor on her heart and adrenal gland. The doctor gave her three months to live 1 1/2 months ago. She hasn't been showing many symptoms of getting weaker, she never really was an active dog to begin with. But her stomach has a lot of fluid in it, it makes her look huge. She twitches really badly when shes laying down. Sometimes I have to check to see if she's still alive because her breathing looks shallow. I don't want to lose her, because I lost my dad to cancer a few years ago and she helped him cope. She's one of the only ties I have left to my dad, if you know what I mean. I know I have to let her go, and I'm terrified of waking up one day and finding her dead on the floor. I want to euthanize her, but I'm not sure when to take her. I don't want to wait too long, but I don't want to take her too quickly either. When will I know when the time is right to take her?

Answer: d a m n.. i remember my dog... i know exactly how you feel, and i am sorry to hear that. anyway, take her when you feel it is time. when she is weak, when she won't eat anymore.. things like that.... here is a poem i got from someone... HEAVEN'S DOGGY-DOOR My best friend closed his eyes last night, As his head was in my hand. The Doctors said he was in pain, And it was hard for him to stand. The thoughts that scurried through my head, As I cradled him in my arms. Were of his younger, puppy years, And OH...his many charms. Today, there was no gentle nudge With an intense "I love you gaze", Only a heart that's filled with tears Remembering our joy filled days. But an Angel just appeared to me, And he said, "You should cry no more, GOD also loves our canine friends, He's installed a 'doggy-door"! just remember it....

Question: wake up call? Wake-Up Call Hopeful new research shows that chronic fatigue syndrome may have a genetic basis. by Nancy G. Klimas, M.D. Until recently, the prognosis for a patient diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) was bleak. The illness has no recognized cure, let alone specific tests to diagnose it—just a bewildering set of symptoms, including utter exhaustion and debilitating pain in joints and muscles. Without a clear medical explanation, patients also face a confused response from family and friends: Is CFS nothing more than over-the-top ennui? A fancy synonym for hypochondria? Even the term “chronic fatigue� diminishes the disease, conjuring an image of Madeline Kahn’s classic rendition of “I’m Tired� in Blazing Saddles. But medical research has now made some major advances in understanding the syndrome, underscored by what may be a breakthrough study by the Centers for Disease Control and revention (CDC). The CDC looked at the genetic code of 227 CFS patients and controls in Kansas and found differences in the genes of the CFS patients involved with immune system, brain and endocrine regulation. Some of their findings suggest that the disease might be caused by genetic mutations that impair the central nervous system’s ability to adapt to stressful situations. The study revealed at least three distinct forms of the disease, each presenting a different genetic profile, one of which seemed to be associated with menopause. In addition, researchers found a strong correlation between the severity of CFS and what is termed allostatic load—the cumulative wear and tear on the body resulting from chronic or inadequate adaptation to stressors such as changes in everyday routine, disease, and physical and emotional trauma. The CDC is now preparing to replicate the findings in a study involving 30,000 people in Georgia. This is a huge step forward in terms of diagnosing and hopefully treating CFS—and that’s especially encouraging news for women, who are three to five times more likely to suffer from the disease than men. The fact that it skews so heavily toward women has also caused some to dismiss CFS as a “woman thing�— the modern version of a fainting couch for the frail sex. This sort of pejorative labeling is nothing new: The term hysteria is, after all, derived from the Greek for womb. Once a disease or affliction is perceived through the “gender lens,� the credibility of the illness may be questioned, causing severe negative impact on research funding, and thus limiting options for treatment. CFS has been misunderstood and mislabeled since the first case definition in 1988. Initially, it was frequently called “yuppie flu,� as it is sometimes marked at onset by severe flu-like symptoms (in other cases, however, there is a gradual decline with no dramatic onset). But CFS hardly follows a yuppie demographic: It’s found most commonly among those ages 40 to 69 and in lower-income groups, although it crosses borders of country, ethnicity and class. Only an estimated 16 percent of adult CFS patients have actually been diagnosed with the disease, and with no reliable diagnostic test or biologic marker the symptoms are sometimes mistaken for depression. In depression, however, one of the markers is an enlarged adrenal gland and an increase in cortisol production, while in CFS the adrenal gland is smaller than normal and makes less cortisol. This and other findings have shown that depression cannot explain the symptoms of CFS, yet many doctors still treat CFS patients with antidepressants—then regard them as recalcitrant when the treatment does not work. Attracting researchers and research dollars to investigate CFS has been a catch-22 scenario: It’s difficult to raise research funding for an illness that is so misunderstood, yet lack of adequate funding has limited the kinds of studies that might yield definitive answers. Clinical trials are needed to understand the various subgroups of CFS and to discover treatments that address the true biologic underpinnings of this illness. We also must educate healthcare professionals so that every doctor, nurse practitioner and physician assistant can quote the diagnostic criteria and treatment strategies. Fortunately, some of the research issues are finally being addressed. Sensing that investigators were discouraged by a 50 percent drop in CFS research funding since 2003, the NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health, under the leadership of Vivian Pinn, put up $4 million for a special round of NIH applications last fall, resulting in 36 applications and likely funding for eight. This compares with a typical four or five applications per quarterly round, and only four to six funded studies each year. More good news: In 2005, the combined efforts of a group of CFS advocates led the Nevada Legislature to pass a bill funding a state-of-the-art Center for Excellence for CFS and cancer. Opening in 2007 or 2008 at the University of Nevada-Reno, the center will include a $75 million research and clinical-care facility. People often ask me if CFS is an immune disorder, a brain disease or a malfunction of the endocrine system. I tell them it is all of these. How I view the disease today, however, is not the way I once perceived it. As an immunologist, I once would have said that CFS is clearly an immune dysfunction state, while an endocrinologist would call attention to the adrenal gland irregularities, and a specialist in the autonomic nervous system would be convinced CFS is all about blood pressure. It is not uncommon, however, for a disease to be misunderstood—even by medical professionals—when there is no reliable diagnostic test. Multiple sclerosis, for example, was once called hysterical paralysis, and doctors treated patients like hypochondriacs and assumed they couldn’t cope with life. Then, with the advent of new technology (in this case MRI), scientists and clinicians were able to see brain lesions in MS patients and skepticism vanished. In spite of the many obstacles that have constrained research to date, we have learned an enormous amount about chronic fatigue syndrome since it was first recognized. The ignorance and prejudice that once blocked a CFS patient’s hope for a return to normalcy is being chipped away, and some day soon the puzzle of this complicated illness may be solved. For further information on CFS, visit the CDC, NIH, International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or CFIDS Association of America. Nancy G. Klimas, M.D. is one of the nation’s foremost experts on CFS. She is a professor of medicine, psychology, microbiology and immunology at the University of Miami School of Medicine, and president of the International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. --------------------------------------… home | about | contact | join ms. | current issue | feminist wire | ms. blogs | back issues | resources | store | ms. cruise Copyright © Ms. Magazine 2006

Answer: Wake up call! If I read that it would probably put me to sleep!

Question: Is it the right time to get my ferret put to sleep? I've been having a lot of trouble with this lately. My ferret, Snickers, is almost 8 years old. I realize that this is old for a ferret - especially because, whens he was 5 years old, she was diagnosed with adrenal disease. We got her the surgery and her symptoms went away completely, and we kept up with semiannual Lupron injections. In April 2008, she was diagnosed with insulinoma, but was too old for surgery, so she's been on Prednisone. Then, in August of 2008, the vet was almost 100 percent sure she had lymphoma. My vet is very knowledgeable about ferrets, therefore I thought it would be just too stressful to get a biopsy and all of that, so we just accepted the cancer. Lately, Snickers has lost most control over her back legs. They've been becoming irritated and scabbed in the last week from dragging them, so I can't let her walk around much anymore. This causes her to sometimes roll in her own waste, and have to get a daily hated bath. She sometimes squeaks when she pees/poops, and squeaks when she's trying to get comfortable to sleep. But the thing that confuses me - she still WANTS to walk around. She has a great appetite.... I just don't know what to do. My mom and I have almost decided for sure that we need to get her put to sleep today - but i'm having doubts. I love her very much. So should I put her to sleep because I love her? Is it the right thing to do? I got her put to sleep on Saturday. It is truly the hardest thing i've ever had to decide, and I hate myself for it. I understand that it was the best thing for her, and that now she doesn't have to deal with any pain or suffering. I just love and miss her a great, great deal. Thank you. And I really hope I see her at the Rainbow Bridge.

Answer: It sounds like your ferret had a great life with a loving owner willing to do everything possible to keep her healthy and comfortable. I know its hard to make the decision to put her to sleep but you have already devoted a life of care and love for your little fuzzy gal, and you know whats right for her. I know where your coming from, I have had many ferrets that needed extreme medical treatments and surgeries and because I got them the care they needed they were able to hang around longer then the vets expected, many of my ferrets were put on prednisone (steroid) I think of it as a "last resort drug". I had an ol'boy named Ax and he wasn't able to walk around well (we made him and the other ferrets this large play pen with linoleum bottom and lots of cozzy blankets) but still kept up a good appetite, we had to hand feed him so we knew he was eating enough (which was a bowl of warm moist ferret kibble mixed with a/d) and boy did he scarf that food down! Ax had a tumor on his skull/forehead and I had it removed 3 times-on the 3rd surgery the Doc. said the tumor ate a hole in his skull. But we brought him home, gave him his meds and his fur grew back and he waddled around and snuggled up with his best ferret buddies .....it was about 6months later when I woke him up for his 1st breakfast (he got 2 breakfasts) and realized he was no longer my "trooper Ax" and I made a decission that again was best for him and took him to the Vet, it poured rain all day. She's your ferret and you know her best so only you can answer that question. All of my ferrets have passed to the rainbow bridge...but I couldnt live with out them fuzzy little guys and I rescued 2 more, they are only 8months old...and I delighted to know these 2 crazy boys:)

Question: What is the criteria for a "official" diagnosis? Does it have to be a disease? Can doctors use a set of symptoms/syndrome and not say what causes it or what disease is associated? I mean describing the symptoms back to the patient or caregiver means is pointless ...they are well aware of their symptoms. If they proscribe inappropriate medication or treatment by not narrowing the disease it can make things much worse...like leaving a "diagnosis" at fancy words that basically say things like adrenal problem, cognitive problem etc. There are wrong and right treatments due to which "problem" such as the treatment of Lewy body and Alzheimer's..."dementia" alone can be devastating for the patient and caregivers if not differentiated. Its like just saying "fracture" and not bothering to find out where and patching up your arm instead of leg... I mean when is this unacceptable? Even in the case of a disease... when is too little not enough? In other words is saying you have cancer, but not what kind, not good enough for a official diagnosis? When is shoving you out of the office with no or wrong medication, no education on the disease management and a "good luck" malpractice?

Answer: If you are unhappy with one diagnosis- consult other doctors. When it comes to health you are your own best advocate. GOOD LUCK.

Question: Is it malpractice? in if a constant trail of wrong diagnosis causes things to be much worse for the patient? What is the criteria for a "official" diagnosis? Does it have to be a disease? Can doctors use a set of symptoms/syndrome and not say what causes it or what disease is associated? I mean describing the symptoms back to the patient or caregiver is pointless ...they are well aware of their symptoms...usually. If they proscribe inappropriate medication or treatment by not narrowing the disease it can make things much worse...like leaving a "diagnosis" at fancy words that basically say things like adrenal problem, cognitive problem etc. There are wrong and right treatments due to which "problem" such as the treatment of Lewy body and Alzheimer's..."dementia" alone can be devastating for the patient and caregivers if not differentiated. Its like just saying "fracture" and not bothering to find out where and patching up your arm instead of leg... I mean when is this unacceptable? Even in the case of a disease... when is too little not enough? In other words is saying you have cancer, but not what kind, not good enough for a official diagnosis? When is shoving you out of the office with no or wrong medication, no education on the disease management and a "good luck" malpractice?

Answer: Clearly, you haven't enjoyed a visit with your local doctor. Sorry, your question is all over the place. Your upset! Just because your upset doesn't mean malpractice. And in the scenario outlined here by you, there is no grounds for malpractice. Bottom line is get a second opinion and move on. As I work in the health arena, I'd like to add this: 97% of complaints are factious or simply perceptional differences from patients; RESULTING in a large amount of time being spent investigating these. Yes, we ALL have rights. But, fibulas complaints result in very professional, well trained and highly dedicated staff leaving the health industry; meaning when seriously ill patients are in real need of help, the health system will only have inadequate numbers of staff to cope. Would you prefer a health system with some mistakes / and your bruised ego or a health system with no-staff to help you?

Question: Doctors can you please help guide and advice me possibility of cause & effect of deasese with the CT report? I am thankful to all answere's of my Question related to "Misty Mesentery". They are all best. So I can not Choose best to all of them. From Then I learned so many things So I thought to write full report. My husband had mild pain in his right waist exemplaryys. So we went to Doctor. Blood and urine report were. Ok. But In X ray doctor found lots of feces in Iliac. Colon junction. We are vvegetarian and my husband eats lots of Fibers. His eating habits are examplary. Except if he eats too much I can not say.I will say just the dinner at 5Pm is big meal. The Xray was taken at 1 am. Doctor suspected Cancer. So he ordered Barium Aneama DC. In That too there was food on that portion but there was not structural problem. but due to food radiologist was unable to find polyp if they were there. He found Slip of L4 on L% and symptoms of Kind of osteoporysis on L4 And L5. The evening before Aneama his dinner soup was not Clear. It was lentil soup in a glass. 1/4 was just very fine lentil. rest was just clear. And then we went for CT. Ct report is this CT of the abdomen and pelvis were performed following Oral and intravenous contrast. The Liver and the spleen are normal without evidence of enlargement or any space occupying process. The pancreas and the right adrenal gland are normal. There is a small Nodule in the left adrenal gland. Which may be fatty in nature and may represent and adenoma. This nodule measures 1.2 cm in diameter. A tiny stone is seen in the Collecting system of the right kidney. A Large (8mm) stone is seen in the Collecting system of left Kidney.I see no evidence of retroperitoneal Lymphadenopathy. Quite strikingly, there is increased density of Mesintery with the apearence of what is termed as Mesenteritis or " Misty mesentery". What is unusual about this is that I see several other FOCI of increased density in the mesenetry anteriorly, Quite seperate from central opacification. Misty mesentery is usually a BENIGN, poorly understood, condition. There are Mimickers, however which include TB, Carconoid, and Metastatic disease. Cuts extending into the pelvis show normal anatomical structures without evidence of Iliac or inguinal Lymphadenopathy. There is moderate prostatomegaly and thickness of the bladder wall. The lung bases are normal. The Lumber spine and pelvis are free of Osteoblastic/osteolytic. I am 54 years old and I do not have children so my husband is everything for me.I got married at late age. I Know some humen anatomy and Physiology. I have a B.Sc degree. My husband has 2 children. Please explain advice and guide me in detail What to ask. My husband's appointment with Gasteriointerionology is on 20th May and for his inlarged prostate ( which we already knew ) is on 5th. it to me in detail. Is there any thing in the report which may be the reason of misty Mesentery? Or any other thing which can cause serious problem? I am O.K. Now after reading the answers of my Misty Mesentery answers . Otherwise I was thinking I will loose my mental balance. I was unable to sleep. Some day 3 am some day 1 am. I live in a french city and I do not speak and understand French very well. Once again Lots of thanks to all those who answered my questions and made be breath normally. But if you are not a Doctor please do not answer.

Answer: I am a GP . I answered your questions about misty mesentery. From the details you have given I could safely conclude that your husband is not at all suffering from any serious disease..Mild prostatic enlargement is very common among males above 50 . Blood ESR if normal , generally rules out cancer and infection . You have nothing to worry.