Types Of Cat Cancer

Cancer can affect different types of cells on various parts of a cat’s body. Types of cancers are named for the part of the body or kind of cells that are affected by the cancer.

A cat cancer of the mammary glands can affect any adult female cat. Siamese cats have an increased risk of mammary cancer and develop the cancer twice as often as other breeds. Unspayed females have a higher risk than spayed cats. Spaying cats before they experience their first heat can help prevent the development of feline mammary cancer.

Mammary cancer in cats can be very severe and affect the lungs and lymph nodes. Treatment may include the surgical removal of the affected mammary glands. However, more than half of the mammary cancer that is surgically removed will recur within a year. Cats who respond well to treatment can live up to three years.

Squamous cell carcinoma is a cancer of the squamous cells of the ears, mouth, nasal area, and skin. This type of cat cancer causes the development of tumors. Exposure to the sun increases the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma. Cats that spend a significant time outdoors and have thin, light-colored hair on their eats are at greatest risk. A veterinarian typically performs a biopsy to diagnose this condition. Surgical removal of the tumor is usually the best treatment, though the veterinarian may suggest other treatment.

Feline lymphoma is a cancer that affects the lymph nodes. Lymphoma is more common in dogs than in cats. Lymphoma causes an abnormal swelling of lymph nodes. The cancer can spread to affect other parts of the body, including the spleen and bone marrow. The risk of feline lymphoma is higher for cats that have been infected by feline leukemia virus (FeLV) or feline immunological virus (FIV).

Treatment for feline lymphoma usually includes chemotherapy, but surgery may also be recommended. Most cats with this kind of cat cancer will live four to six months after diagnosis. Some cats that respond well to chemotherapy treatment may live two years or longer. The prognosis for a cat with feline lymphoma is worse if the cat also has feline leukemia.