The treatment of fibrosarcoma of the bone usually involves an aggressive surgical approach in which removal of the area around the tumor is attempted, or a piece of the affected bone is removed. In some cases, the affected limb will need to be amputated entirely. A tumor that has already metastasized to multiple sites before diagnosis carries a poor prognosis for recovery. Keep in mind that not all fibrosarcomas are alike. The tumor that is affecting your dog may not have metastasizing properties, and excision of the tumor and surrounding tissue may very well resolve the problem. In other more serious cases, there may be a recurrence at the site of the amputation.
Living and Management
After the initial treatment, a follow up checkup will be planned to regularly monitor for any re-growth of the tumor or metastasis to other areas of the body. You will need to set up a schedule to visit your veterinarian for routine progress checkups. A full recovery will be dependent on the size and location of the tumor.
After surgery, or while your dog is being treated for the tumor, you should expect your dog to feel sore. Your veterinarian will give you pain medication for your dog to help minimize discomfort. Use pain medications with caution; one of the most preventable accidents with pets is overdose of medication. Follow all directions carefully. You will need to limit your dog's activity while it heals, setting aside a quiet place for it to rest, away from household activity, children, and other pets. It might be practical to consider cage rest for your dog, to limit its physical activity. Your veterinarian will tell you when it is safe for your dog to take exercise again. Until then, only take your dog for short walks.
It is important to monitor your dog's food and water intake while it is recovering. If your dog does not feel up to eating, you may need to use a feeding tube or a high protein liquid supplement so that it is getting all of the nutrition it needs to completely recover. Your veterinarian will show you how to use the feeding tube correctly, and will assist you in setting up a feeding schedule.
A neoplasm made up of bone, malignant in nature
The prediction of a disease’s outcome in advance
An in-depth examination of the properties of urine; used to determine the presence or absence of illness
A type of neoplasm that occurs in connective tissue
Something that becomes worse or life threatening as it spreads
Not being able to cause harm; the opposite of malignant.
The process of removing tissue to examine it, usually for medical reasons.
Small structures that filter out the lymph and store lymphocytes
The process of removing all or part of a body part; usually refers to a limb (arm or leg) and is done for medical reasons.
The term for the lower jaw bone; this is the only bone in the skull that has the ability to move