Chest Cancer in Cats

There are many different types of cancer that may present in a cat's chest. The prognosis of the cat depends largely on the health of the cat and the type of cancer that is present. If you suspect cancer in your cat, consult a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.

  1. Lymphosarcoma

    • Lymphosarcoma is a common cancer in cats, and may involve the presence of tumors in the cat's chest. Lymphosarcoma is a cancer of the lymphocytes and lymphoid tissue and can affect the gastrointestinal tract, lymph nodes, liver and spleen. Lymphosarcoma may spread to the lungs as well. The feline leukemia virus, or FeLV, has been shown to cause this condition in cats. The mediastinum is the term that is used for cancer in the lymphoid tissue in the cat's chest. The cat often has difficulty breathing due to the large mass in the chest and the fluid that accumulates as a result of the tumor. Chemotherapy most often is used to treat lymphosarcoma in cats. It is effective in about 60 percent of cases.

    Carcinomas and Sarcomas

    • Tumors produced from glandular cells are called carcinomas. Tumors that arise from the skin, muscle, bone and connective tissues are known as sarcomas. A malignant tumor may move to other areas of the body. A non-malignant tumor does not have the ability to move to another location. Carcinomas or sarcomas that move can become trapped in the lungs. These types of tumors often grow quickly due to an abundance of blood vessels in the cat's chest. Other areas that may be affected by these tumors are bone marrow, the liver and kidneys. The prognosis for these types of tumors largely depends on the stage of the cancer upon diagnosis.

    Lung Cancer

    • Primary lung cancer is the term used to describe cancer that originated in the cat's lungs. Secondary lung cancer is caused by the spread of cancer from another area. Primary lung cancer in cats can present as a single tumor, or multiple tumors in the more advances stages. Secondary lung cancer almost always affects both lungs with multiple tumors. The diagnosis of lung cancer is possible only with a biopsy of lung tissue. This is important due to the fact that some fungal infections also can cause spots on the lungs, which may be detected with a chest X-ray. The preferred treatment for tumors in the cat's lungs is surgical removal of the tumors. This can be done with an incision in the side of the chest or with an incision at the breastbone.

    Diagnostic Tests

    • The veterinarian may use diagnostic testing tools such as blood tests, chest X-rays, ultrasound and lymph node aspiration. A biopsy of the affected tissue also may be performed in the diagnosis of chest cancer in cats.

    Treatment

    • Many cats do not show symptoms of cancer until it is in the later stages of the disease. Your veterinarian will determine the best course of action for your cat depending on the type of cancer present, the cat's overall health and what stage the cancer is in when diagnosed.