Breast cancer in cats is better known as mammary gland tumors and/or breast cancer. Cats can get benign or malignant breast cancer, but cats are overwhelmingly more likely to get malignant breast cancer. This article details feline breast cancer, the potential risks for cats, and what you can do to care for your cat.
What is breast cancer in cats?
First, we need to explain where a cat’s mammary tissue is located. If your cat lies on its back and looks at its “belly,” you’ll notice two nipples extending from its armpits toward its groin area. These are the cat’s two mammary strands, which consist of the underlying mammary tissue and associated nipples. Cats can develop growth abnormalities, infections, and various types of cancer anywhere in these milk chains.
In some cases, cats may develop a single mammary tumor. In other cases, a large portion of one or both breast chains may be affected by multiple tumors. A tumor or cancer may be benign or malignant. Unfortunately, cats often develop malignant cancers, with breast cancer being the most common.
What are the signs of breast cancer in cats?
At first, you may notice a small lump near one or more of your cat’s nipples. The tumor can be as small as a BB. Also, the tumor may not be noticed until it is quite large, especially if the cat does not like having its belly touched. These tumors may or may not have associated hair loss and are often the same color as the cat’s skin, if not slightly pink.
As tumors grow and multiply, they may appear to be growing together and/or joining together, rather than just growing individually. These tumors are often slightly soft or hard to the touch, and your cat may be sensitive to palpation of the tumor. These tumors can rupture or rupture, causing a large amount of bloody secretion.
Your cat may act completely normal at first. Because of this, you may not realize that nothing is wrong. If your cat has malignant cancer, over time you may notice weight loss, decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, unusual vocalizations, and decreased grooming. In some cats, cancer can spread to the lungs or cause fluid to build up in the chest or abdominal cavity, causing breathing difficulties.
What causes breast cancer in cats?
This is the million-dollar question, not just for breast cancer, but for many different types of cancer. What we do know is that female reproductive hormones (estrogen and progesterone) significantly increase a cat’s risk of developing breast cancer. Exactly what role these hormones play in cancer development is still being studied.
However, cats that are left intact or have not had an ovariohysterectomy (spay) can have up to a seven-fold increased incidence of mammary tumors compared to spayed cats. is well known. Some studies suggest that cats spayed before 6 months of age are less likely to develop breast cancer than cats spayed between 7 and 12 months of age. has been. It is also well established that female cats are significantly more susceptible to breast cancer than male cats.
The majority of breast cancers are also diagnosed in middle-aged to older cats. However, as with most cancers, it is important to remember that any cat can develop cancer, even at a young age. There are many unanswered questions about cancer, so if you notice a lump in your cat, it’s best to get it checked out by your veterinarian.
Diagnosing Breast Cancer in Cats
First, it is essential to know that your cat will require some type of tissue collection for diagnosis. Veterinarians cannot tell whether a tumor is malignant or benign just by feeling it.
There are two diagnostic tests that your veterinarian may recommend. One is the fine needle aspiration method. This method does not require sedation (unless your cat is extremely distressed during veterinary examination) and is quick and easy. This involves the veterinarian using a needle and syringe to stir or suction out the tumor. This draws the cells into the needle. These cells are then sprayed and spread onto a microscope slide and sent to the laboratory for microscopic evaluation by a pathologist.
Another way to diagnose breast cancer is using a tissue sample or biopsy. This often includes heavy sedation and sometimes anesthesia. Your veterinarian will obtain several small pieces of tissue and send them to a laboratory, usually in formalin. Depending on the biopsy site, your veterinarian may need several sutures to close the tissue and allow it to heal.
If your cat is diagnosed with breast cancer, a chest x-ray or abdominal ultrasound may also be recommended to check for obvious metastases or spread of the cancer. Whole blood tests are also often done to monitor red blood cell, white blood cell, and platelet counts, as well as blood test values for other organs.
How should I care for a cat with breast cancer?
It is always best to consult with your veterinarian to develop a care plan. Depending on your cat’s specific symptoms, we may refer you to a board-certified veterinarian, oncologist, or even an internal medicine specialist. Your veterinary team can discuss your options depending on your specific cat.
Surgery is usually recommended to remove a single tumor or perform a radical chain mastectomy. This is when all the mammary gland tissue along the sides of the body is removed. In some cats, mammary tissue on both sides may need to be removed. This is an important surgery that requires significant healing time, pain control, and aftercare. However, your cat may have the best prognosis.
There is nothing you can do holistically at home to help treat and/or prevent breast cancer. Scientists are still learning what causes these cancers in the first place, so there is no definitive treatment or combination of treatments. As mentioned above, care plans, including hospice/comfort care and surgery with chemotherapy, should always be discussed with your veterinarian.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I prevent breast cancer in cats?
The most important thing you can do to significantly reduce your cat’s risk of breast cancer is to have your cat spayed before her first heat cycle. Not only does it significantly reduce your cat’s cancer risk, but it also curbs the cat overpopulation problem and reduces your cat’s chance of developing pyometra.
What if the lumps are small?
Get it diagnosed by a veterinarian! If breast cancer is malignant, it may grow very quickly. If you notice just one small lump, your veterinarian may be able to surgically remove it before it spreads or becomes large enough to require a radical mastectomy.
conclusion
Breast cancer is also known as feline breast cancer. It is far more common in female cats than male cats, and is most common in unspayed female cats. The exact cause of breast cancer is unknown, but there is some evidence to suggest that female reproductive hormones are involved. Cats can get malignant or benign breast cancer, but unfortunately malignant cancers tend to occur most often. We recommend a final diagnosis by cytology or histopathology before making a treatment plan. Your veterinarian may recommend surgery or chemotherapy. The prognosis depends entirely on the type of cancer, evidence of metastasis, and the cat’s overall health at the time of diagnosis.
Featured image credit: MaxxPhotoStock, Shutterstock
