CNS Lymphoma in Cats

Central Nervous System (CNS) lymphomas are the second most common type of CNS tumors in cats. When present, these lymphomas appear most often in the cat's spinal column.

  1. Background

    • Malignant cancer cells formed in the lymph system characterize lymphoma. Many organs in the body have lymph cells. CNS lymphoma sometimes begins in the spinal column.

    Identification

    • Cats who test positive for feline leukemia are at risk to develop abnormal proliferations of lymphoid tissue: a lymphoma tumor. Prognosis and treatment depend on where the tumor is located. Tumors could be found in several areas of the body.

    Theories/Speculation

    • No data exists that associates a particular breed of cat, of either sex, with lymphoma. Veterinarians advise owners to vaccinate their cats for feline leukemia as a deterrent to lymphoma.

    Considerations

    • The diagnosis includes a biopsy to check for a uniform population of immature lymphoid cells. The presence of these cells indicates lymphoma. Symptoms vary depending on the location of the lymphoma tumor.

    Effects

    • A common treatment includes chemotherapy drugs such as doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisone administered incrementally for several weeks. Chemotherapy side effects include nausea and lethargy.