Lymphoma Sarcoma in Cats

The Feline Lymphoma Caregiver's Guide warns that lymphoma sarcoma, also known simply as lymphoma, is the most common type of malignant cancer found in cats. It can affect young and old cats in different ways. Treatment is available to help fight the disease, but true regression is rare.

Younger Cats

In younger cats, Pet Cats Online states that infection often occurs after they have been exposed to either the feline leukemia virus or the feline immunodeficiency virus. Areas affected in the cat are usually the spine and lymph nodes. If it spreads, areas such as the heart, aorta, trachea, esophogas and endocrinal gland thymus can also become compromised. Younger cats are likely to have T-cell lymphoma, which can affect the immune system's response to cancerous cells.

Older Cats

Older cats are more likely to get lymphoma in the gastrointestinal tract, warns Native Remedies. In older cats, it is not uncommon for the infection to occur without the cat being exposed to the feline leukemia virus. Unlike younger cats, older cats are more likely to have B-cell lymphoma. B-cells are found in bone marrow.

Symptoms

Cats that have lymphoma display a variety of symptoms, according to Pet Cats Online. Those that have lymphoma in their gastrointestinal tract experience loss of appetite, weight loss and bouts of diarrhea. If lymphoma is present in the kidney, it causes symptoms such as increased thirst and urination. Eventually the kidney fails. Lymphoma in the eyes causes them to become inflamed. Lymphoma in the heart causes an excess of fluids to build up in the tissues that surround the heart. It also causes muscle contractions.

Treatment

Some forms of lymphoma are slow-acting and provide no threat to the life of the cat, according to Pet Cats Online. Faster-acting forms of lymphoma are treated with chemotherapeutic drugs. If the cat has only gastrointestinal lymphoma, it often responds better to chemotherapy treatments. While drugs can help manage the symptoms and pain, total remission is rare for cats

Warning

Early detection dramatically increases the cat's survival chances, so if the cat shows symptoms, a vet should examine it to determine if it has the disease.