Quote: Diana Pohn

... I have never heard of a blood test for cancer.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cancer-diagnosis/CA00028

http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/cancer-lab-tests/

http://www.avma.org/careforanimals/animatedjourneys/pethealth/pethealth.asp

http://www.pet-screen.com/web/petscr/index.cfm?s=3&dir=5395

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=0+1275+2027&aid=3380

http://questionsaboutdogs.blogspot.com/2008/12/is-there-blood-test-for-hemangiosarcoma.htm

?

Oh...posted the same as Connie.

Thanks for the links I have seen some of them before. They all suggest that blood tests can indicate a problem and suggest further testing, but I checked those articles and they don't state that a blood test can tell you you have cancer.

Also my oncologist was at a recent veterinary oncology conference and they discussed the "success" of the prescreen and it wasn't very accurate.

I know when my dog has his blood work taken, they do look at the different components for abnormal counts that "suggest" that there is a problem, but it doesn't name a cancer.

When we had the original aspirate done it "suggested" lymphoma and also some tick borne diseases. We sent the cells to CSU where the cells were grown and the cells dna indicated b-cell lymphoma. When his cancer came back (primarily diagnosed by enlarged lymph nodes, they looked at his blood work which also indicated a possible problem, looked at the aspirate which showed immature cells that pointed to the lymphomas return and we sent the cells which definitively diagnosed the lymphoma.

Point I am trying to make is you can't diagnose cancer based on only a blood test, which is what I was questioning in the first place.

Diana

Edited by Diana Pohn (01/10/2009 03:23 PM)
Edit reason: spelling

Gotcha.

With the almost total lack of info about what the vet did/thought/said, we have no idea what other tests and observations were done along with bloodwork.

Just wanted to wish you well, Diana, with the lymphoma dog. I've been there with a much-loved GSD mix who was diagnosed with Stage IV hepatic lymphoma in 2004 - despite a very poor initial prognosis (he also had cirrhosis), he went into excellent remission for almost a year with chemotherapy and careful attention to diet and supplements. Sounds like the prospects for your dog are even better as you were able to catch it earlier, plus chemo protocols are improving.

Plus I wanted to second earlier comments that with modern treatment options, cancer in dogs need not be an automatic death sentence. Any more information from the OP on what type of cancer this is?

Again, thanks to all for the input and informational links.

Unfortunately I do not have any further information from my bf or the vet. I'm sure they discussed it at length, but I don't want to drag him through it all again- he's pretty miserable as it is. In any case they've made a decision and I trust that it is in the best interest of the dog.

Diana, I also hope things improve with your dog and wish you much luck.

Thanks again.