XXXXXXXX,
I may not be the one to give you the best information on this treatment either, but I will tell you what I know. I'm not an oncologist, I don't know any of the real hard data on this procedure. I'm by no means an expert - I've just seen it a few times.
I have had 2 or 3 animals from my practice get referred to the university of Missouri for photodynamic therapy for different things. One cat had an oral mass and I DO NOT recommend PDT for this. It was a miserable situation where the tumor was rotting and sloughing and the cat suffered in my opinion. He still died of the tumor. I regret that case very much.
The other one that comes to mind is a horse that had a mass on the face that was inoperable and it had very successful PDT. There was some sloughing, raw wound, kinda messy at times but it healed and the horse has done great.
I don't know what advice to give you other than to be sure you go in with your eyes wide open. Ask if the mass will rot and fall off in nasty pieces (I'm not sure if it will or won't). Ask if your cat will have pain with the procedure and if so how will it be managed. Find out if they really and truly believe this therapy will give him quantity and quality of life above and beyond what the more accepted therapy (radiation) would. After all, that's what it's all about.
I'll leave my two cents worth at this. I'll opt out and let another expert weigh in if you want.
Good luck to you and I'm sure awful sorry about your kitty. It's a hard situation all the way around.
Veterinarian
9 years of mixed animal practice
Thank you so much. Maxx consulted with Dr. Hammer and Maxx is not a candidate for PDT. The tumor is too deep and the light vibration only penetrates 1 cc.
Ginger
Ginger,
It was worth a try, right? I hadn't even thought of the penetration depth of PDT.
I hope you can find whatever treatment makes Maxx the happiest and most comfortable.
Best of luck.