Lymphoma in the cat

Feline lymphoma

source: Andrew Sparkes
Feline Advisory Bureau, Volume 39 (4) 2001
starts page 111, 4 pages long

The high prevalence of lymphoma in the cat is linked to FeLV infection, although FeLV is not always the underlying cause. FeLV viraemic cats are at greater risk of developing lymphoma compared to an uninfected cat. Most FeLV positive lymphomas are T-cell and most FeLV negative lymphomas are B-cell. The common tumours are classed as mediastinal (thymic), alimentary, multicentric and extra-nodal. Diagnosis is made through examination of tissue samples and haematology. Treatments include the cyclophosphamide, vincristine Oncovin (COP) protocol. A study showed the drug Doxorubicin produced longer survival times and side effects were fewer, than with maintenance COP. Multiagent chemotherapy may induce remission more successfully. Studies have shown that mediastinal and multicentric lymphoma are more likely to respond to therapy.
CA,HD