Lymph Node Cancer in Cats

Lymphosarcoma, also called lymphoma, is cancer in the lymph nodes. Cats need to have a healthy lymphoid system for the immune system to fight viruses and bacteria. The lymph nodes are located in various parts of the body, and lymphoma can start in any of these parts.

  1. Types

    • The different forms of lymphoma depend on where the cancer starts. Multicentric starts in the lymph nodes; gastrointestinal in the stomach, intestines, liver, and lymph nodes in the abdomen; mediastinal in the mediastinumin located in front of the heart in an organ called the thymus; cutaneous in the skin; and acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the bone marrow.

    Most Common

    • The most common form is gastrointestinal lymphoma. It can affect older cats that don't carry the feline leukemia virus (FeLV); however, younger cats with (FeLV) have an increased risk of developing lymphoma.

    Which Cats Are Affected

    • Cats two to six years old are the main sufferers of lymphoma. The disease does not discriminate between breed and gender.

    Symptoms

    • Cats with lymphoma suffer from a number of symptoms including enlarged external lymph nodes, diarrhea, sluggishness, difficulty breathing, and rapid weight loss.

    Treatment

    • Chemotherapy is the best treatment option since lymphoma affects many organs. Chemotherapy in animals aims to slow the progression of cancer. Cats are good at tolerating this type of treatment.