Tyson, a mixed breed dog, was 8 years old when his owner noticed his anal glands appeared swollen. A quick visit to the vet found a 6 cm mass and a cell cytology showed uniform sheets of delicate neuroendocrine type cells indicating an Anal Sac Apocrine Gland Adenocarcinoma.
Follow on x-rays and ultrasound was done to determine if the cancer had metastasized (spread) internally but luckily, it did not appear it had done so, which is good news since this type of cancer spreads early and quickly.
Tyson's cancer specialists recommended aggressive treatment: surgery was performed to remove the mass and radiation therapy was administered over 20 sessions to (the cost of which alone was estimated to be $6,300 on his treatment pre-certification.)
The cost for this treatment was substantial as you can see below.
| Diagnosis | Claim Amount | Covered Amount | Paid Amount | Total Paid Policy Term | Date of Service From |
Embrace Pet Insurance Policy: $500 annual deductible; $10,000 annual maximum; 10% copay; prescription drugs covered. Annual premium $514.25
The majority of Tyson's cancer treatment costs came from treatment at a specialized cancer clinic in Dallas TX in 2009. The total cost of treatment was $9,611.44 with pet insurance reimbursement of $8,200.28 (=$9,611.44 - $500 deductible * (1 - 10% copay)).
According to an article in DVM360 on anal sac adenocarcinomas, Tyson's prognosis is fair, with a projected survival time of 19 months given the tumor was less than 10 cm and the absense of hypercalcemia. Sadly it is unlikely that Tyson's cancer it cured but the treatment has certainly given him a longer and better quality of life that if he had not had the treatment.
Sending positive thoughts Tyson's way...
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