Of the estimated 32 million cats in the United States, 6 million are diagnosed with cancer every year.* That’s almost 20% of the cat population! And those are just the ones that are diagnosed. Most cats who develop cancer will not survive it because cats are usually good at hiding their symptoms when they are sick. Luckily, if your cat’s cancer is detected early enough, it can be treated.
What is Cancer?
According to the Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, “Cancer is caused by uncontrolled and purposeless growth of cells in the body. Other terms for cancer are malignancy, tumor and neoplasia. Cancer can arise from any tissue in the body so there are many types of cancer.”**
What are the Symptoms of Cancer in Cats?
Depending on where the cancer is located, a cat with cancer will display some of the following symptoms: external lumps, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, or unexplained weight loss.
What Types of Cancer Do Cats Develop?
The more common types of cancer cats develop are lymphoma, lip and oral cancer, and soft tissue sarcoma: cancer that develops in the muscles, tendons, tissue surrounding the joints. A cat might also develop tumors in the brain, lungs, liver or nasal passage. The cases of cats diagnosed with mammary tumors have declined because more and more cats are being spayed.
How is Cancer in Cats Treated?
Cats diagnosed with cancer will most likely be treated by a veterinary oncologist. The types of treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, bio-therapy. If the cancer is detected in its early stages a cat has a very good chance of surviving.
Piroxicam
is an NSAID that is used to treat some cancers in cats and, to a lesser degree, for pain and inflammation due to osteoarthritis.
In conclusion, an estimated 6 million cats are diagnosed with cancer annually. The most common types of cancer in cats are lymphoma, oral cancer, and soft tissue sarcoma. Cats may also develop tumors in the lungs, brain, liver and other vital organs. A cat diagnosed with cancer will be treated by a veterinary oncologist. Treatment might include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, bio-therapy. With early detection a cat should be able to recover.
*National Cancer Institute Center for Cancer Research. COP for pet owners. 2017 https://ccr.cancer.gov/comparative-oncology-program/pet-owners/disease-info Accessed on March 2, 2017
**Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Oncology Service. An Overview of Cancer. 2015 https://vth.vetmed.wsu.edu/specialties/oncology/information-for-ownersAccessed on March 3, 2017
0
0
