Cancer in cats is uncommon but aggressive when it happens. Know the causes, symptoms, and treatments of feline cancer in this article.
What is cancer in cats?
How common is cancer in cats?
What causes cancer in cats?
What are the different types of cancer in cats?
What is the most common cancer in cats?
What are the signs of cancer in a cat?
Are cats with cancer in pain?
Does cancer make cats hungry?
How is cancer in cats diagnosed?
How long do cats live after being diagnosed with cancer?
How is cancer in cats treated?
Do cats survive cancer?
How can you prevent cancer in cats?
What is cancer in cats?
Cancer is a disease that occurs due to the uninhibited division of abnormal cells. These can form into tumors that can either be benign or malignant.
Benign tumors have slow growth and do not spread to other parts of the body. In most cases, benign tumors are typically harmless unless they become too big. This can result in tumors suppressing body organs and causing pain.
Malignant tumors are called cancer. They are the total opposite of benign tumors, as they swiftly become developed cancers and can multiply in several areas of the body. The presence of malignant tumors can lead to severe organ damage and dysfunction.
In other cases, instead of tumor growth, cancer cells clog up in the blood or bone marrow.
How common is cancer in cats?
Thus, cat owners need to stay sharp for symptoms of feline cancer. The early you detect this disorder, the more likely the treatment will be successful for your cat.
What causes cancer in cats?
Unfortunately, the causes of cancer in cats are unknown most of the time. The development of this disease is associated with various factors, including:
- Genetics
- Old age
- Exposure to harmful chemicals like cigarette smoke
- Exposure to sunlight
- Certain feline virus such as feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus
- Severe physical injuries or trauma
- Certain rabies and feline leukemia vaccines
What are the different types of cancer in cats?
Developed cancer in cats comes in many forms. We have listed down the types of cancer commonly seen in felines.
1. Lymphoma cancer in cats
Lymphoma is a type of cancer in cats that attacks the lymphoid tissues and lymphocytes, which are white blood cells. Feline lymphoma can affect several parts of the body since the lymphatic system fans out in many organs.
Lymphoid tissues can be found in the bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract, liver, and spleen. Intestinal cancer in cats is the most common form of feline lymphoma.
This type of feline cancer is also linked to the feline leukemia virus (FeLV). Moreover, cats with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are extremely vulnerable to lymphoma.
2. Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cells are the type of cells responsible for the formation of a feline’s skin. When they become cancerous, this condition is called squamous cell carcinoma. It accounts for 15% of all skin tumors in cats.
This cancer in cats called squamous cell carcinoma is typically characterised by light or unpigmented skin tumors. They often form in hairless areas such as the ears, eyelids, and nose.
Older cats who are 12 years of age are the most common victims of this type of skin cancer.
3. Lung cancer in cats
Feline lung cancer is divided into 2 categories: primary and metastatic. Primary lung tumor in cats means the disease originated in the lungs. This type is rarely seen in felines.
On the other hand, metastatic lung tumor is a secondary type of lung cancer. The tumor begins in a different area but will later reach the lungs. Both primary and metastatic lung tumors are quite common in senior cats over 10 years old.
4. Fibrosarcoma
Fibrosarcoma is an aggressive cat cancer of the soft tissue. It is slow to spread out to other areas of the body.
Feline fibrosarcoma is usually caused by papillomavirus, a disease that causes warts. In other cases, it can be a reaction to a vaccine shot.
5. Breast cancer in cats
Mammary cancer is relatively common in cats because almost 90% of mammary tumors are malignant. These commonly form from the tubules of mammary glands and other mammary chain cells.
Besides the breast, feline mammary cancer can spread to other organs like the lymph nodes and lungs.
Female cats are more likely to experience breast cancer compared to males. Felines age 10–12 years have an increased risk of developing this type of cancer.
What is the most common cancer in cats?
Some studies observed that Siamese Cats are more likely to develop this type of cancer than other cat breeds.
What are the signs of cancer in a cat?
Cat cancer symptoms will depend on the type of feline cancer. The clinical signs may vary, but here are some of the most common:
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Unusual lumps or sores
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Breathing problems
- Smelly breath
Signs of cancer in cats are similar to other diseases. Thus, a proper diagnosis from the vet is needed.
Are cats with cancer in pain?
Cats with cancer may suffer from pain as the tumor presses on their nerves and body organs. In some felines, their cancer pains are caused by the toxins produced by the tumors.
Does cancer make cats hungry?
Certain types of stomach cancer in cats can cause an increase in appetite. Feline gastrointestinal cancer can disrupt the digestive system’s function, resulting in food malabsorption. As a result, cats with this type of cancer often become ravenous.
How is cancer in cats diagnosed?
- Blood tests
- X-rays
- Ultrasound or MRI scanning
- Biopsy
- Fine-needle aspiration
- Computed axial tomography
How long do cats live after being diagnosed with cancer?
Cat cancer life expectancy after diagnosis largely depends on how severe the condition is and what treatments are done to manage it.
Generally, cats with mild cancer that are receiving treatment can live normally. On the other hand, severe feline cancer can devastatingly reduce a cat’s longevity to a few months or a year, even with proper treatment.
How is cancer in cats treated?
1. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy against cat cancer is initiated using drugs that are strong enough to destroy or damage cancer cells. It is usually recommended for cat patients suffering from leukemia, lymphoma, and other types of cancers that have significantly spread.
2. Conventional radiation therapy
This type of cat cancer treatment is used when the damage cannot be surgically removed.
Conventionally fractionated radiation therapy (CFRT) uses radiation to destroy cancers in the body and usually requires anaesthesia to ensure that the cat remains still throughout the process.
3. Cryotherapy
Another type of cat cancer treatment is cryotherapy. It is usually prescribed to cats with small tumors in certain areas, including the eyelids, skin, and oral cavity.
4. Immunotherapy
This cat cancer therapy uses antibodies to strengthen the function of the body’s natural defences and stimulate and boost the immune system to fight off cancer cells.
5. Surgery
This cat cancer treatment is often the most recommended when the complete removal of the cancer is possible. However, situations become more complicated when total removal is uncertain.
6. Palliative care
Some cat owners opt for pain management rather than other treatment options for their cats with cancer. Palliative care aims to provide a sense of relief from manifesting symptoms such as bleeding, pain, and mobility complications.
Treatment for cancer in cats largely depends on how advanced the disease has progressed, taking into consideration the cat’s age, general health, and type of cancer.
Although feline cancer treatments can improve the affected cat’s quality of life, side effects may occur. Doing research and consulting health experts can help you decide on the best treatment option for your cat.
A regular veterinarian usually does not have expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. A consultation with a certified veterinary oncologist is the best course of action before initiating cancer treatments.
Do cats survive cancer?
The survival rate for cats with cancer is low, probably less than 50%. However, this may change depending on the tumor type, how early it was detected, and how it is treated.
Thus, some felines will have higher chances of cancer survival whilst others do not.
How can you prevent cancer in cats?
There is no sure-fire way to prevent feline cancers. But it is always better to take preventive measures than doing nothing. Here are a few things that you can do to protect your cat against cancer:
- FeLV and FIV—both of these diseases are big contributors to cancer in cats. Moreover, they are highly infectious as they can be passed on through close contact with infected cats, their saliva, and bite wounds. Thus, make sure that your feline friend is tested and vaccinated against these diseases.
- Spaying and neutering cats that are not used for breeding is a good idea. It will greatly reduce the probability of cancer development. It is advised to get female cats spayed before their first heat cycle (around 4 months old) to decrease the chances of breast cancer. The same applies to male cats to lower their vulnerability to testicular and prostate tumor formation.
- Make sure your cat is fed with high-quality cat food containing balanced nutrients. It should be rich in healthy fatty acids like EPA and DHA, which can help cancer prevention. Avoid free-feeding and overfeeding your cat as it can lead to obesity. This condition can cause hormone imbalance and inflammatory issues, increasing the risk of feline cancer.
- Second-hand smoke is a proven contributing factor in feline cancer. For this reason, keep your cat away from cigarette smoke.
- Some chemicals that you use at home can cause cancer in cats. These include lawn chemicals and gardening pesticides. If possible, switch to organic and cat-safe products for your feline friend’s safety. It is also advised to limit her access outdoors to lessen her exposure to harmful cancer-inducing chemicals.
