Ralphie, pit/pointer mix, macroadenoid pit tumor, considering radiation

Hi. I'm new. My 8-year-old sweet boy Ralphie has been diagnosed with Cushing's for about a year. He's a pit/pointer mix best we can tell (humane society puppy). He was about 55-60 pounds when healthy.

We started on Trilostane treatment and his cortisol numbers moved into the normal range, but his symptoms didn't change. In addition, he became extremely lethargic and depressed. He eventually stopped eating and had some shivering/shaking and we took him off the Trilostane immediately. We tried to treat holistically, which worked for a few months, but then his symptoms came back. We've recently visited the University of Tennessee and it looks like he likely has a macroadenoid tumor in the pituitary gland. His energy level is extremely low, he has lost 15 pounds within the year, he is losing muscle strength in the hips, and he is developing what we think is calcinosis cutis. His only option at this point is radiation, as the drugs will enlarge the tumor do more harm than good.

Trying to find some folks that have done the radiation treatment and hear what their outcomes were. Not looking to prolong life just for the sake of doing so if the quality of life is not going to improve. Any experiences with radiation treatment of macroadenoids would be greatly appreciated. Would you say the "after radiation" quality of life is close to the "before cushings" quality of life?

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Sharlene

Welcome Nicole and Ritchie.

If you can do the radiation treatments, then I am inclined to go with them for a macro. Especially the new series where you only need to 1 but University recommended 3 as having better results for Dawn and Butter.
Here is Dawn and Butters thread: http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5850

Jen and Doccy, have had very good results too with radiation therapy: http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4877

Both are active members on the forum and I'm sure you can ask them any questions and they'll get back to you as soon as possible.

I'm so glad you found us as it makes such a difference to be able to talk with others going through the same thing or have gone through.

Welcome!
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Thank you! I read their threads. Pretty inspiring. I've never heard of this new 3-treatment radiation option. Do you know what it's called? Is it only being done in certain places? I see that Butters went to UC-Davis, but we're on the east coast. South Carolina. I posted to Butters' thread too.

Doccy I think went to University of Florida. The radiation used at U of Davis I think was a newer one, but Dawn can tell you when she checks in. You can call the university vet schools around and see if they are aware of it, and offer it.

Sharlene and Molly muffin

I believe UC Davis uses Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). A quick search revealed that there is a facility is South Carolina that is one of few who have this technology. I've provided a link to their site below:

http://www.scvsec.com/services/oncology/

Hello, Davis uses sterotactic radiation therapy ( not sure if I spelled it right), it was 3 treatments on 3 consecutive days. She did really well. If you get a chance could you create an album for Ralphie ( love the name) so that I can see his calcinosis cutis , Butters has a fierce as of it, hoping he does not!! But if he does there are several of us hear that can help you with the care of the CC.
He has a very sweet face, I really hate that this condition exist it can be so heart breaking.

Should you have any ? Just ask any time

Dawn and Butters

I'll see if I can figure out how to post pics. We are still waiting on the vet to confirm through biopsy that it is CC, but I'm 99% sure. I'll call the place in SC and see if they do this sort of radiation. My vet wanted to do 19-21 days, M-F, of radiation treatment. U of Tenn was 15 days. That's too traumatizing for Ralph. We don't want to put him through that.

Right now, I'm trying to figure out how to treat the CC if we decide not to do radiation. I know it will get worse, but if we can slow the growth and make him comfortable, that may be our only choice at this point. It's been a hard week. What are the downsides to DMSO? That's what my vet recommends, but I'm not treating until we get the test results back on Monday or Tuesday.

Here is his photo album. Let me know what you think: http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/album.php?albumid=839

Sorry for so many questions, but it is hard to find the information I'm looking for online and you all seem to have already done a TON of research. You really have to be the advocate here, don't you? The vets don't even have a ton of information.

It looks like my vet does conventional radiation, which we do not like. Then you have either (1) stereotactic radiation (Butters) or (2) intensity-modulated radiation. The closest facility to us that does stereotactic radiation is U of Florida. As Lulu's Mom pointed, out, though, there is a facility in SC that does intensity-modulated radiation. What does that consist of? How many days of treatment?

I'll put a call in to the facility as well. Thanks for all of your support! I don't want to put Ralphie through anything too overwhelming, but if there is something within reason, I'm not ready to give up yet.