Also known as a lymphoma, the lympho sarcoma is characterized as a fast multiplying of malignant lymphocytes. This takes place normally in the lymph nodes, liver, bones and spleen in most cats; although some may have development in the eyes and gastrointestinal tract and skin. The most common malignant cancer in cats, lymphoma in the feline species is growing.
In the young, this is found after the FeLV or feline leukemia virus shot is given, as well as with the feline immunodeficiency virus or FIV. This type of cancer in cats affects the spine, lymph nodes and the heart, aorta, esophagus, trachea and endocrine glands’ thymus (mediastinal lymphoma) in the thoracic cavity between the lungs.
In the gastrointestinal tract, lymphoma is more common in the elderly felines, where it can occur without the FeLV infection. The young normally have T-cell lymphoma where older cats are generally taken with B-cell lymphomas. T-cells are lymphocytes made in the thymus that tell the immune system to respond to infected or malignant cells. B-cells are lymphocytes that come from bone marrow.
Felines have worse and more severe symptoms than canines. Cancer in dogs may show a more visibly healthy dog, besides swollen nodes. But cats show severe symptoms that depend on the location of the cancer.
Symptoms for gastrointestinal cancer in cats show characteristics of diarrhea, no appetite and weight loss. The most reflected in fluid in the lungs and respiratory problems is the mediastinal lymphoma. When found in the kidney, symptoms of major thirst and urination are seen, and then kidney enlargement followed by failure.
Cancer in the heart leads to the heart no longer being able to pump blood to reduce the swelling of tissues, and the accumulation of fluid in the surrounding layers of the heart causes abnormal muscle reactions. Inflammation in the eye is also seen at times, and is known as ocular lymphoma.
Many forms of cancer are slow healing and can be present without imminent death, even without treatment of any kind. Aggressive cancers are normally given chemotherapeutic drugs, the same as in human cases. The best response is seen in the gastrointestinal cancers, rather that cancers found in more than one place. Cancer in cats is always dependent on past or present FeLV infection. Complete remission is very rare, because it is normally not the completed end to cancer.
