Cancer in cats

One of the biggest fears for pet owners is the diagnosis of cancer.

While sadly there are no guaranteed ways to prevent cancer (yet), there are steps you can take to support your cat’s health and minimise the risk for them. 

In this article, we’re going to find out what cancer is, the symptoms of cancer in cats, and the options available for treating it… 

What is cancer?

Cancer is the abnormal growth of cells that don’t act in the way they’re supposed to, which can damage the healthy cells surrounding them and cause serious problems.

Some cancers result in lumps or growths, also known as ‘tumours’. 

Not all cancers will involve a visible growth or tumour, though there are two types of tumours that might be seen in cats:

• Malignant tumours – contain cancerous cells that can grow significantly and spread (metastasise) to other organs. 
• Benign tumours – these are growths that are less likely to be cancerous, meaning they won’t spread to other organs or damage surrounding tissues. 

Please note: It’s possible for your cat to develop a lump or growth that’s caused by something other than cancer, e.g. warts, abscesses, skin tags, etc.

What causes cancer in cats?

It’s not always possible to know the exact cause of feline cancer. But, there are some risk factors that increase the probability of cancer in cats, including:

• Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), a viral infection that affects cats and weakens their immune system.
• Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV), a disease that attacks the immune system (your cat can be vaccinated against this disease in the UK).
• White fur that can be more susceptible to skin cancer due to sun damage.
• Unneutered females are at greater risk of developing mammary cancer.
• Unneutered males are at risk of developing testicular cancer. 
• Exposure to toxic chemicals.

What types of cancer can cats get?

Just as with humans, there are many different types of cancer that cats could develop at any point throughout their lives. However, here are the most common types of cancer seen in cats:

• Basal cell tumours – benign skin tumours that can be removed via surgery.
• Carcinomas – malignant intestinal tumours that may also be found in other parts of the body, e.g. the lungs.
• Squamous cell carcinoma – causes mouth tumours; but can develop on their skin, ears, or nose as well.
• Lymphoma – impacts their white blood cells and can be found anywhere in the body, due to its effect on their immune system.
• Sarcomas – are linked to the cells responsible for creating skin, muscle, and bone; sarcomas can be malignant, but tend to vary in severity. 
• Mast cell tumours – might be benign or malignant, though are usually found in the spleen, in the intestines, or on their skin.

Symptoms of cancer in cats

The signs of cancer can also be associated with other illnesses, which makes it difficult to determine whether the changes to your cat’s health and/or behaviour are caused by cancer. So, it’s important to get your cat checked by a vet if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Lumps, bumps, or growths.
• Sores that won’t heal.
• Lethargy or lack of energy.
• Loss of appetite.
• Difficulty chewing.
• Bad breath.
• Weight loss.
• Stomach pain.
• Limping or lameness.
• Constipation.
• Diarrhoea.
• Vomiting.
• Breathing difficulties.

Remember: Any changes to your cat’s health, behaviour, and/or appearance could indicate that something is wrong – cancer or not – which means they’ll need to be assessed by a vet.

How is cancer diagnosed in cats?

To be able to diagnose cancer, a vet may begin by asking you about your cat’s symptoms, before performing a physical examination to assess your cat’s overall condition. If your vet suspects your cat has cancer, it’s likely they’ll progress to booking appointments to arrange:

• Blood tests – to find out how well your cat’s organs are functioning and check for viruses, like FeLV.
• Taking a sample – a vet might take a sample from a growth using a needle while your cat is awake.
• Biopsy – removing a piece of a tumour or growth while your cat is under anaesthetic (e.g. Fine Needle Aspirates [FNAs] may be used for tumours like lymphomas, leukaemias, and lipomas).
• Imaging tests – enable a vet to view your cat’s organs or see the extent of your cat’s cancer if they’ve been diagnosed with it, e.g. x-ray, ultrasound, MRI, CT scan, etc.

Through the above testing methods, your vet will also be able to determine which treatments your cat might need and whether they’ll be able to cope with them.

How is cancer treated in cats?

Fortunately, there are treatment options available for your cat, depending on the type and severity of their cancer. 

Some of the cancer treatment options available for cats include:

• Surgical removal – several types of cancerous tumour can be removed via surgery.
• Chemotherapy – slows the growth of a cancerous mass using medication; though could cause unpleasant side effects and you’d need to follow strict instructions when cleaning up after your cat. 
• Radiotherapy – involves targeted treatment of a cancerous growth to slow its progress; but can result in side effects and requires the expertise of a specialist vet.

How to prevent cats from getting cancer

Although it’s impossible to completely remove all risks that might lead to your cat getting cancer, there are things you can do to significantly reduce the likelihood of it:

• Vaccinate them. 
• Get them neutered.
• Limit their exposure to the sun (especially white cats, or those with white ears, due to sun-exposure related tumours).
• Providing the right nutrition.
• Avoid letting them eat any toxic food.
• Protect them from poisonous products.
• Help them stay active.
• Check their overall condition during daily grooming sessions.
• Brush their teeth regularly, so you can check their mouth.

For more information about feline cancer, and how you can try to prevent your cat from getting it, speak to a vet expert through the Joii Pet Care app.