Lymphoid tissue is found throughout your whole cat's body. Lymphoma in cats, a disease that affects this tissue, can cause damage to a number of organs. This cancer normally affects cats around ten years of age. Also, cats infected with the leukemia or immunodeficiency virus have an increased risk.
Forms
Cat lymphoma can occur in one of three forms. They include the alimentary, mediastinal, and multicentric forms. The alimentary form affects the digestive tract and surrounding lymph nodes. The mediastinal form affects the chest, thymus, and associated lymph nodes. This is commonly a problem with cats infected with the feline leukemia virus.
The last form of this disease is multicentric. Like the mediastinal variety, it is usually a problem for cats with the leukemia virus. It causes damage to multiple organs and their surrounding lymph nodes.
Symptoms
Unfortunately, lymphoma in cats causes unspecific symptoms. Common signs of this disease include weight loss, decreased appetite, and lethargy. Any other symptoms that your cat experiences will depend on the specific organs that are affected.
Treatment
Cat lymphoma is mainly treated with chemotherapy. If the disease has already spread to multiple areas, this is the only treatment option your cat will have. This medication can be given by an injection, although some cats can take it orally. Radiation, laser, and surgery are options if the cancer is still localized.
Prognosis
Lymphoma in cats is easily a life-threatening disease. The outcome of treatment depends on various factors. These include how early the tumor was detected and its location. If your cat is also battling the leukemia virus, the prognosis will be much worse. Most cats don't survive more than two years, while many die around six months after diagnosis.
Forms
Cat lymphoma can occur in one of three forms. They include the alimentary, mediastinal, and multicentric forms. The alimentary form affects the digestive tract and surrounding lymph nodes. The mediastinal form affects the chest, thymus, and associated lymph nodes. This is commonly a problem with cats infected with the feline leukemia virus.
The last form of this disease is multicentric. Like the mediastinal variety, it is usually a problem for cats with the leukemia virus. It causes damage to multiple organs and their surrounding lymph nodes.
Symptoms
Unfortunately, lymphoma in cats causes unspecific symptoms. Common signs of this disease include weight loss, decreased appetite, and lethargy. Any other symptoms that your cat experiences will depend on the specific organs that are affected.
Treatment
Cat lymphoma is mainly treated with chemotherapy. If the disease has already spread to multiple areas, this is the only treatment option your cat will have. This medication can be given by an injection, although some cats can take it orally. Radiation, laser, and surgery are options if the cancer is still localized.
Prognosis
Lymphoma in cats is easily a life-threatening disease. The outcome of treatment depends on various factors. These include how early the tumor was detected and its location. If your cat is also battling the leukemia virus, the prognosis will be much worse. Most cats don't survive more than two years, while many die around six months after diagnosis.
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