Patient: Rocky, a 6-year-old Boxer
Presenting Problem:
Rocky’s owners brought him in after feeling a firm lump near his left flank. A fine needle aspirate suggested a soft tissue sarcoma, which can be locally invasive but slow to spread to distant organs.
Initial Diagnostics:
Chest X-rays and abdominal ultrasound were clear — no sign of spread to the lungs or major organs. However, the ultrasound couldn’t fully show how deep the tumor extended into surrounding muscles.
Next Step: MRI for Staging and Planning
To plan surgery and check if the tumor had invaded deeper tissues, Rocky’s vet recommended a CT initially but questions remained as to whether the femoral artery, vein, and nerve could be spared. An MRI was then performed and revealed that the mass extended into the underlying muscle layers but hadn’t infiltrated the nearby bone. It also showed clear margins between the tumor and major nerves, which was critical for determining if the limb was salvageable.
Outcome:
With this detailed information, the surgeon was determined that the limb was salvageable but that adjunctive therapy would be needed as margins were not attainable. The mass removal went well and Rocky underwent radiation therapy after recovery. Rocky was able to keep his limb and keep his cancer at bay.
Key Takeaway:
This case shows how MRI can play a vital role in cancer staging and surgical planning. For tumors that may invade muscles, nerves, or bones, MRI gives the clear, detailed images needed to plan surgery confidently and minimize the chance of leaving cancerous tissue behind.