Carcinoma in Cats' Moles

Causes

• According to Vetinfo.com, skin cancers in felines, like in humans, are caused by environmental exposures, such as sun exposure. Hairless and white breeds are significantly more susceptible to cancer than other breeds, and occurrence is more prevalent in elderly cats than younger animals.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

• According to the "Merck Veterinary Manual," basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of feline skin cancer, appears on the head and chest and feels like a row or cluster of small bumps in the skin. This form of cancer does not typically metastasize, and is not considered a life threatening condition.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

• According to The Cat Health Guide, squamous cell carcinoma typically occurs on hairless areas of the body where openings exist, like around the mouth, nose and eyes. This form of cancer, in rare cases, spreads to the lymph system or lungs.

Diagnosis

• Vetinfo.com discusses the veterinary diagnosis of carcinoma as a two-step process to diagnose, first through blood tests and then by completing a biopsy and tissue analysis of the affected area. If a veterinarian suspects that cancer has spread to the lungs, he may order X-rays.

Treatment

• Surgical removal of the affected tissue is the most common treatment, according to The Cat Health Guide. A veterinary surgeon will work to remove the cancerous tissue and some of the healthy tissue that surrounds it. For cases in which the cancer has metastasized, cats may receive chemotherapy to halt the spread.