Cancer in cats: Symptoms and diagnosis of cancer.

Breast cancer usually occurs at an older age, when the animal has passed lactation. It has been scientifically proven that cats that have carried and fed kittens are less likely to suffer from malignant oncology than sterile pets. The reason for such changes is a hormonal imbalance, against which the glandular tissue or epithelium undergoes proliferation and then uncontrolled growth. Only by contacting a veterinarian in a timely manner can the animal be cured.

At the Zhivago clinic, the cat will undergo a comprehensive examination, based on the results of which treatment will be selected. It is important not to confuse oncology with inflammatory diseases, because the initial manifestations of pathologies are very similar.

Symptoms of cancer

Painful sensations. It is quite difficult to ignore the pain syndrome of an animal; it is one of the most obvious signs of any disease. The animal tries to take the least painful position and begins to systematically meow or limp.
Weight loss. Your animal's appetite may not change, but a trend in weight loss will be observed in any case. This symptom indicates the need to contact a veterinarian.
Lethargy. Due to poor health, you may notice that your beloved cat is experiencing anxiety, depression or apathy. She no longer wants to play, and therefore sleeps much more than usual.
Tumors. Sometimes, while petting your pet, you can feel lumps in one or another part of the body. These lumps may look like weight gain. Of course, it may be benign, but you will never determine this on your own. Contact a veterinary clinic.
Poor recovery. Wounds and abrasions must heal in a timely manner; in cats, regeneration occurs faster than in humans. But if your cat has cancer, the immune system directs all its forces to fight the tumor. And because of this, even minor wounds take much longer to heal than usual.
Breathing problems. Any problems with the respiratory system must be shown to a qualified doctor. Even if a cat does not have cancer, coughing or breathing problems indicate problems with the heart and lungs.
Stool or vomiting. If loose stools or vomiting are rare, there is no need to worry too much. The problem will be when such symptoms become systematic, they will indicate problems with the animal’s metabolism. You may notice strange discharge from the mouth, and there are cases of discharge with blood.
Unpleasant odors. If you notice strange odors in your pet, contact your veterinarian. This could be bad odor from the mouth, ears, or other parts of the body.

Lipoma

How to distinguish a benign tumor from cancer?

Sometimes benign hyperplasia of the gland occurs, which forms a tumor that is not prone to growth. With such a seal, a cat can live a long life without symptoms or complications. Unlike cancer, these tumors do not metastasize and do not grow into surrounding tissues.

For differential diagnosis, an instrumental examination is prescribed; the main differences can be seen in the images:

a benign tumor is characterized by strict boundaries, a round or oval shape, “parallel” and symmetrical vascular growth;
with cancer, the compaction is irregular in shape, the surrounding tissue grows, and the vessels are located chaotically.

Malignant oncology is characterized by destruction - some areas completely die and begin to bleed. If some of the viable cells enter the bloodstream, they can settle in the lymph nodes or lungs, after which they will give rise to the growth of a daughter lesion. This does not happen with a benign tumor.

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Types of cancer in cats

Types of cancer are divided into other subtypes.

Mammary cancer

This type is typical for older cats. Cases of tumor formation in young cats are rare. A tumor begins to develop from the cells of the mammary glands. The danger of such a disease is assessed by its ability to grow.

Sarcoma

Sarcoma is a lump that gradually grows at the site of origin. This is not one disease, but a whole group. The reason is illiterate vaccination of animals, but you should not refuse it. If your cat is vaccinated correctly, there will be no health problems.

Malignant tumor

Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a disease associated with the formation of tumors in the lymphatic system of an animal. Most often, disease of the lymph nodes occurs in cats, both young and older pets. Malignant tumors are classified according to the site of origin.

Carcinoma and adenocarcinoma

They damage epithelial cells of both the skin and the internal environment of the body. They develop very quickly, and since epithelial cells are the most common tissue in the body, neoplasms form in the oral cavity, lungs, intestines and other organs. Adenocarcinoma is a formation in internal organs.

Tumor

Types of skin cancer

There are 3 types of common malignant skin tumors. They differ both in incidence (i.e., the chance of getting sick) and in the degree of danger to life - basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.

Melanoma is one of the rare and dangerous skin tumors. It accounts for only 4% of the total number of malignant skin tumors, but is the cause of almost 80% of deaths in this localization. You can read more about melanoma here.

Treatment of cancerous tumors

There are several approaches to treating cancer in cats. You should not resort to traditional methods, as this can only cause harm.

Surgery. In some cases, a doctor may prescribe surgery to remove a malignant tumor. This method is most often used in the early stages, otherwise it will cause harm.
Chemotherapy. The most common method of treating cancer. The specialist will individually prescribe a course of treatment for your animal. Such treatment is much less alarming in cats than in people.
Radiation therapy. This method is used when it is impossible to remove the tumor surgically. We complete this therapy within 1-2 weeks; ionizing radiation in small doses affects the tumor site. And this causes pathogenic cells to reduce their activity, which leads to the pet’s recovery.

Sarcoma

Post-vaccination sarcoma

A rabies epidemic recorded in the US state of Pennsylvania more than 30 years ago led to the adoption of a law requiring compulsory vaccination of pets. The widespread distribution of vaccinations against rabies and viral leukemia for cats has led to an increase in the incidence of neoplasms at the injection site.

Post-vaccination cancer is the most aggressive type of cancer of soft tissues. Cancerous tumors often arise at the site of administration of antibiotics, hormones and vaccines that contain aluminum. The risk of developing aggressive tumors is especially high for carriers of the immune deficiency viruses FIV or leukemia FeLV.

Researchers have accumulated information about the viral nature of the disease and the genetic predisposition of certain members of the cat family to the development of this type of disease. The tumor aggressively invades neighboring organs, differing in its minimum doubling time (9 days). Comparative example: the most aggressive type of breast cancer causes the tumor mass to double in one month. Post-vaccination sarcoma metastasizes in one case out of five (usually in an advanced form or after surgery in case of relapse). A combination of factors indicates the need for early diagnosis and rapid surgical intervention to save the animal.

Establishing diagnosis.

Signs of fibrosarcoma:

preservation of the seal at the site of vaccine administration three months after the injection;
diameter of the neoplasm – 20 mm or more;
an increase in the size of the swelling a month after vaccination.

Any of the above signals should be a reason to contact an oncologist for a biopsy. The main research methods: cytological analysis (fine needle) and a more accurate histological examination of the tissue column (Core).

Treatment

To treat post-injection neoplasms, surgical intervention is necessary to remove the affected area, covering the border area up to 30-50 mm around the perimeter. Precise determination of the boundaries of the extracted segment is made using a tomographic study, demonstrating affected areas that are inaccessible to visual observation. Surgery is combined with radiation treatment to reduce the risk of recurrence. If the affected area is extensive, plastic surgery methods are used to close the wound surface.

Once the healing process is complete and the sutures are removed, a course of radiation therapy is prescribed, which significantly increases the likelihood of survival of the sick cat.

The outcome of the disease depends on many factors: the complexity of the lesion, the location of the compaction, etc.

Diagnosis of cancer in cats

Diagnosis usually occurs in a comprehensive manner to accurately confirm the disease. The main diagnostic methods are described below.

Ultrasound research method

This ultrasound, familiar to you and me, is performed to examine the size of tumors and their location. A separate examination is prescribed for each location of the body, since different equipment is required. Ultrasound is usual for us in real time, but it can also be Doppler.

Biopsy

This research method requires material from the body of cats. Pieces of tissue are taken for examination, as well as material from nearby lymph nodes. This is the most common way to determine oncology.

Ultrasound

X-ray diagnostics

The veterinarian may order an x-ray. The tumor will be clearly visible in the image, and its exact location will also be visible.

Treatment

The basic method of treating the disease is radical surgery with complete removal of the affected areas. The following must be observed:

The principle of ablasticity is the removal of all tumor fragments, preventing the penetration of cancer cells into the wound during surgery. When determining the area to be extracted, one should proceed from the location of the “pseudocapsule” formed by compacted tissues around the tumor. The resection boundaries should lie no closer than 30 mm from the pseudocapsular barrier, and in the case of post-injection sarcoma - further than 50 mm. When removing the tumor mass, damage to the capsule should be avoided. The biopsy site must be included in the tissue fragment being removed. If plastic surgery is necessary, after tumor removal is completed, surgical instruments and gloves should be changed so that cancer cells do not fall on the healthy surface of the wound. Ulcerative or other skin lesions must first be covered with disinfected wipes. During surgery, the tumor should not be squeezed to avoid the penetration of cancer cells into the body’s circulatory system.
The principle of sheathing - all structures included in the interfascial areas are subject to removal.

Image - muscles, nerves, vessels of the right scapula and shoulder of a cat

Causes of diseases

Genetics. The main cause of cancer, as in humans, is genetics. Cancer is a mutation of certain genes, and they occur independently of us. In some cases, mutations are benign, and sometimes lead to the death of the organism.
Carelessness. Cancer can develop from neglected or incompletely cured diseases, due to hormonal imbalance in the functioning of the body.
Lack of care for the pet. In any case, if you do not follow the correct diet for your animal, or do not provide it with an active lifestyle, sooner or later it will get sick. Cancer is just one of the possible diseases.

Stages of cancer

First stage. This period is asymptomatic, the tumor is just beginning to develop. It has not yet had time to spread to other parts of the body, local tissue damage begins.

Second and third stage. At this stage, the pet develops a tumor that affects a specific organ or nearby lymph nodes. It is at this moment that visible signs appear.

Fourth stage. If the animal is in the fourth stage, there will be almost no chance of saving it. Tumors begin to damage not only one organ, but also all nearby ones.

Cat examination

Prevention

A simple way of prevention would be to simply take care of your pet and be attentive. Take the animal 2-3 times a year for examination to a veterinary clinic to identify diseases. Provide your pet with a proper diet and active lifestyle. Monitor environmental conditions and do not allow your pet to consume excessive amounts of chemical additives. Little things like this can save your pet's life.

Treat your cat like you would a person. Pets cannot talk about their problem, and their health depends solely on the attentiveness of the owner.