Intestinal Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a type of cancer of body cells called lymphocytes. The lymphocytes are white blood cells of the immune system. In the cat, lymphoma can cause tumors in the intestinal tract.

  1. Definition

    • Cancer is caused when normal cells mutate and begin to grow and multiply rapidly. Intestinal lymphoma is considered to be a malignant cancer (fast spreading throughout the body) in the cat.

    Cause

    • It is thought that intestinal lymphoma in the cat is caused by the feline leukemia virus even in cats that test negative for this virus. It is also thought that severe inflammatory bowel disease can transform into this cancer.

    Diagnosis

    • Lymphoma is the most common type of cat cancer. It is diagnosed by x-rays, blood tests, and biopsies of the affected tissue. Veterinarians can occasionally feel a mass in the abdomen when examining the cat.

    Signs

    • The signs of intestinal lymphoma are lack of appetite, weight loss, vomiting and diarrhea. Older cats are more likely to develop this cancer.

    Treatment

    • Treatment consists of surgery to remove the affected part of the intestinal tract. Chemotherapy, or use of drugs to destroy tumor cells, is also necessary although most cats will only live 12 to 18 months after treatment.