Most forms
of cancer in cats tend to have a better prognosis with early detection and
medical intervention. Although cancer is not as common in cats as in dogs, it
can be serious and life-threatening. There are 3 common types of cancer in
cats—squamous cell carcinoma, lymphoma, and fibrosarcoma.
Squamous
cell carcinoma
This usually
develops in the nose, ears, eyelids and in other areas of the body with little
or no hair. More cases are seen in white cats living in sunny regions.
Unfortunately, there is no treatment for SCC and cats diagnosed with the
problem often have a poor prognosis.
Lymphoma
Among the
different forms of cancer in cats, lymphoma is the most commonly recorded. It
is a cancer that affects the blood and causes proliferation of white blood
cells. The organs that are commonly affected by lymphoma include the
intestines, kidneys, nasal cavity, liver, and lymph nodes of cats. It has been
demonstrated that the feline leukemia virus (FLV) vaccine can help prevent
lymphoma in cats thus it is recommended to have your pet vaccinated against
FLV. Talk to your veterinarian
Carolina Forest, SC about it. Cats
that undergo chemotherapy tend to go into remission.
Fibrosarcoma
Feline
fibrosarcoma has gained popularity because it is a known potential reaction of
vaccination and other types of infection. It usually develops in a site where
the vaccine or medication has been injected that is why it’s also known as
“feline injection-site sarcoma (FISS)”. Depending on the extent and severity,
treatment may include surgery, radiation treatment, and/or chemotherapy.