Adenocarcinomas in Cats
Key takeaways
Adenocarcinomas in cats are a large group of malignant tumors, caused by unregulated cell growth within glandular tissue.
- Very common cancer in cats, most often affecting the intestines, lungs, and mammary glands, often aggressive and easily spread
- Adenocarcinoma is often diagnosed late once cats start showing clinical signs such as lethargy, an irregular lump, or organ-related symptoms (such as gastrointestinal or respiratory symptoms)
- Adenocarcinoma is diagnosed with a biopsy of the mass, and due to the aggressive nature of this cancer, proper staging should be completed to determine the extent of disease
- Treatment for adenocarcinoma is removal, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination
- Even with treatment, this cancer often has a poor outcome
- Ensuring cats are spayed/neutered, followed by regular physical examinations are key for prevention
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A closer look: Adenocarcinomas in Cats
Adenocarcinomas are an aggressive type of cancerous mass found in cats. They can occur in various parts of the body, as they develop in glandular tissue (a tissue lining many internal organs). The most common areas affected in cats are the gastrointestinal area, mammary glands and lungs, but is also known to affect the pancreas, prostate, kidney, esophagus. Rarely, it may affect the thyroid.
Adenocarcinomas develop internally and because of this they are often diagnosed at a later stage, which can greatly affect the lifespan of affected cats. Some types of adenocarcinomas, such as gastrointestinal and mammary, are quite aggressive and have a very poor prognosis.
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Risk factors
Cats older than 7 years old, and certain breeds such as Siamese cats appear to be more commonly affected.
Specific symptoms vary based on what area is affected by adenocarcinoma.
Early stages of the disease may show no, or very subtle clinical signs. With progression of the condition, clinical signs may worsen, or new signs may develop if metastasis occurs.
Possible causes
As with many malignant tumors, the cause for adenocarcinoma is unknown.
Mammary adenocarcinomas are a notable exception as spaying female cats (especially before 6 months of age) reduces the chances of adenocarcinoma greatly.
Main symptoms
As with many types of cancers, symptoms associated with adenocarcinoma may be nonspecific.
Testing and diagnosis
Early detection is key to successful diagnosis and improved lifespan, however because this cancer develops internally, it is often diagnosed in later stages, with clinical signs having become more apparent.
A thorough physical examination may reveal palpable masses, especially in the abdomen or mammary area. Further testing is required for complete diagnosis, and includes;
- Bloodwork
- Diagnostic imaging (Ultrasonography to visualize masses)
- Cytology
- Biopsy of mass is the only true way to determine what type of cancer is present, and how invasive or aggressive the cancer is
After diagnosis, staging is an important next step. Staging is a process to determine the extent of cancer spread, or if it has already metastasized to the lymph nodes or other organs. Methods to stage the cancer include:
- Diagnostic imaging (X-rays, ultrasound, CT, and/or MRI)
- Cytology or biopsy of lymph nodes to look for cancerous cells
Steps to Recovery
The main treatment for adenocarcinoma is removal, however this is not always possible based on location. Other treatments include chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
As with most cancers, adenocarcinoma does not go away on its own, and continues to spread with further risk of metastasis if left untreated. Prognosis for cats with adenocarcinoma depends on various factors, including location, how early it was diagnosed, and general health.
Even with removal, prognosis can be poor, especially in cases of intestinal or mammary adenocarcinomas, or if the cancer has metastasised.
Prevention
In the case of mammary adenocarcinoma, spaying female cats (especially before 6 months of age) reduces the chances of adenocarcinoma greatly.
Neutering male cats is thought to reduce the risk of a cat developing prostate adenocarcinoma. However, as with many other cancers in cats and dogs, prevention is difficult due to the unknown nature as to why it develops. The best prevention is regular physical examinations, especially in senior pets.
Adenocarcinoma is not contagious.
Is Adenocarcinomas in Cats common?
Adenocarcinoma is one of the most common types of cancer in cats.
Typical Treatment
Treatment for adenocarcinoma in cats include:
- Surgical removal of masses
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Any combination of the above
