Common Cancers In Cats
Cancer diseases are often diagnosed in cats, so it is good to know about them and do what you can to prevent them.
Cancer is the leading cause of death in cats and one in five domestic cats suffers from it. It is important to discover the disease in good time, because the malignant cells spread very quickly in the body. Hematopoietic tumors (types of blood cancer) are most common in cats.
Blood cancer, like other cancers, can cause lumps or lumps to form, but the cancer cells can also circulate freely in the bloodstream (leukemia). There are also blood cancers caused by Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV).
How do cancers develop in cats?
Genetic predisposition, exposure to the sun or carcinogenic environmental toxins can be the trigger for various cancers in cats.
Infections caused by feline leukemia virus or feline immunodeficiency virus ( FIV ) can also cause cancer in cats. Fortunately, both viral diseases are easy to spot.
As always, prevention is the best medicine. But if the animal is already sick, it will suffer from symptoms such as weakness, weight loss, loss of appetite, lumps on or under the skin, bleeding, changes in the eyes, or wounds that are not healing properly. In this case, you need to take your cat to the vet as soon as possible!
The velvet paw can also make strange noises, the fur is often affected and the animal is usually restless. All of these signs indicate that the animal is not doing well and needs medical attention.
The veterinarian may perform x-rays, ultrasounds, a biopsy, and other tests to help make an appropriate diagnosis. A blood analysis is routine and must also be carried out regularly in animals, especially with increasing age.
In addition, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis and initiate the best possible treatment.
The most common cancers in cats
Lymphoma and lymphosarcoma are the most common cancers in cats. The tumor arises in the lymphocytes, which are defense cells of the immune system. The degenerated cells can appear in different places at the same time: lymph nodes, chest cavity, gastrointestinal tract, nasal cavity, kidneys or nervous system.
Possible treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. The sick animal can often be treated successfully with it. However, cancer therapy in cats is not always easy. In the first place one has to consider the quality of life of the animal.
Squamous cell carcinoma develops on the skin, and sun exposure is usually responsible for it. The tumor often develops on the nose or ears. At first it may look like a scratch or a wound that won’t heal. In this case, however, metastasis usually does not occur.
The mammary tumor is also one of the most common types of cancer in cats that have not been sterilized. Even neutered cats or hangovers are not entirely safe from this. Hardened or swollen areas and lumps are warning signs to watch out for. The tumor can spread to the lymph nodes or lungs.
The early treatment of isolated, small lumps can be carried out successfully by removing them through a surgical operation. Sometimes chemotherapy is also necessary.
More cancers
- A mast cell tumor of the skin often occurs on the head and neck region. However, the mast cell tumor can also affect the spleen, other intestines, or the digestive tract. Here this tumor is usually very aggressive. This can also lead to an intestinal obstruction. Metastasis often occurs. In particular, in this case, the tumor spreads to the lymph nodes, lungs, liver and spleen. Possible treatments include surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.
- Squamous cell carcinoma in the mouth or throat can not only attack the tongue, it can also affect bones and lymph nodes. As a result, there are difficulties with eating, with the formation of saliva and usually also with halitosis. Treating this type of cancer is very difficult.
- A fibrosarcoma or fibroblastic sarcoma is a malignant tumor made up of connective tissue cells under the skin. Surgical intervention, chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be necessary here. A combination of these treatments is usually recommended, but the chances of success are variable.
- The osteosarcoma mostly affects the bones of the extremities, the spine or the skull. As a result, fractures quickly occur and the animal patients suffer from great pain. Limping is a common consequence. However, this type of cancer can also spread to the lymph nodes or lungs. Here too, surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy are usually used.
Lung cancer
- A respiratory carcinoma often occurs in the lungs or in the nose. This leads to breathing difficulties, snoring, sneezing, snorting, coughing and nasal discharge. This type of cancer can also spread to the bones. When the clinical symptoms become noticeable, there is usually already a metastasis. Surgery and chemotherapy can be very effective.
- Adenocarcinoma affects the intestine (small or large intestine) and spreads quickly. Symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting, and diarrhea. In addition, this type of cancer can also spread to the lymph nodes. Surgical intervention is usually necessary.
- Pancreatic adenocarcinomas and hepatic adenocarcinomas are not very common. This leads to jaundice, depression, weight loss, vomiting and abdominal pain. Unfortunately, the prognosis is very negative.
