Cat Sinuses and Cancer

The diagnosis of sinus cancer in your cat may be an unpleasant shock to a pet owner, because nasal cancers are not very common. The symptoms of nasal cancer can remain hidden for many years before symptoms become a problem and an accurate diagnosis is made. Nasal cancer is more common in larger breeds of cat, and also more common among male cats than females.

  1. About Feline Sinus Cancer

    • Feline sinus cancers are often deadly. Because symptoms may not present for many years before a diagnosis is made, the cancer can invade many structures throughout the sinuses and skull before treatment is begun. There are two types of cancers that invade feline sinuses; one is lymphoma, which grows in the lymph cells, and the other is carcinoma, which grows in the skin cells.

    Symptoms of Sinus Cancer

    • Symptoms of feline sinus cancer may be vague and transient at the beginning. There may be sneezing, discharge, bleeding, labored breathing and snoring. Later, there may be facial distortion from the growing tumor. Some of these symptoms may be mistaken for sinus infection or allergies, and treatment for these conditions may be done for some time with little result. It is important to have your veterinarian do additional tests if common sinus treatments are not effective.

    Diagnosis of Sinus Cancer

    • Tests to diagnose feline sinus cancer include a complete blood count, skull and chest x-rays, CT scan of the skull, tissue test of the lymph nodes and biopsy of the sinus tumor cells. Rhinoscopy, in which a narrow tube is inserted into the sinuses to detect tumors, may also be done.These tests will allow your veterinarian to detect the location of tumors and whether they have spread to surrounding organs.

    Treatment of Feline Sinus Cancer

    • Surgery and chemotherapy are the two current treatments for feline sinus cancer. Chemotherapy is the treatment of choice for lymphoma of the sinuses. It may be used in conjunction with radiation therapy. Feline nasal carcinoma is more difficult to treat. Surgery is often difficult because of the small passages in felines, and tumors may be very deep in the sinuses. If the tumor is located where it can be reached, the veterinarian may attempt to remove it. Radiation of the tumors may also be prescribed.

    Prognosis

    • Feline sinus cancer generally carries a poor diagnosis because the tumors may have progressed before symptoms are accurately diagnosed. Surgical outcomes may only be two to five weeks. Radiation has somewhat better outcomes but is not suitable for all cancers. Cat owners must be prepared for both the costs of treatment and the requirements of home care for the duration of the illness. Euthanasia is often necessary within a short period.