Cat Cancer in Young Cats

Cancer is uncontrolled cell division and growth. In cats, the most common cancers are cancerous tumors and leukemia. Some breeds are more apt to suffer certain kinds of cancers than others. Cats have a predisposition to a variety of cancers. Among the most devastating are lymphosarcoma, squamous cell carcinoma and breast cancer, according to veterinarian Arnold Plotnik.

  1. Lymphosarcoma

    • Cats infected with the feline leukemia virus have an increased risk of developing lymphosarcoma, or cancer involving the lymphoid tissues. This is more prevalent in younger cats. Cats are less apt to suffer from eyelid cancer, which originates from the lymphocytes, than their canine counterparts. However, outdoor cats, white cats and cats that remain in the sun are at a higher risk than other cats.

    Squamous Cell Carcinoma

    • Squamous cell carcinoma is a feline skin tumor involving light skin. The hairless area of the nose, the eyelids and ears are the areas most commonly affected. The mouth may also be affected although this is in more severe cases.

    Mammary Cancer

    • Mammary cancer, or breast cancer, is seen more common in older cats than kittens. This type of cancer spreads to the lungs rather quickly. Spaying before the first heat decreases your kitten's chances of getting mammary cancer. Siamese cats are twice as likely to develop mammary tumors as opposed to other breeds of cats.

    Treatment

    • Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are the three traditional means of treatment for cancer. Chemotherapy is effective for lymphosarcoma. Surgery, radiation therapy and intralesional chemotherapy are used in treating SCC. However, cats suffering from SCC rarely have positive results. Surgery is the best option if the tumor can be completely removed and has not spread. Some cancers are resistant to radiation. The goal of chemotherapy is to reduce the number of cancer cells to slow the disease. It is not intended to be a cure.

    Potential Signs of Cancer

    • Cancer treatments are most effective when the cancer is detected early. Owners should look for abnormal swellings, sores that do not heal, weight loss, loss of appetite, a bleeding or discharge from any body opening, an offensive odor, difficulty eating or swallowing, a lameness or stiffness that does not go away, or difficulty breathing or going to the bathroom.