The skin is the cat’s largest organ – and it can be affected by various diseases. This also includes skin cancer. But “the” skin cancer does not exist – after all, different tumors trigger different types of cancer. Therapy options and prognosis depend on the exact diagnosis.
What does skin cancer look like in cats?
Depending on the type of tumor, skin cancer in cats can look different. It can look like a small wound that does not heal – for example in squamous cell carcinoma. Or it shows up in clearly visible and palpable tumors of the skin. Skin tumors can be itchy, painful, or go unnoticed by the animal.
Since a quick start of therapy is crucial for the chances of recovery for some skin tumors, the following applies: If you discover a lump on the skin of your velvet paw, present the cat to the vet as soon as possible.
On average, velvet paws develop skin cancer from the age of 10. In rare cases, the cat may develop skin tumors at a younger age.
What skin tumors are there in cats?
Many different skin tumors can occur in cats. These include benign ones such as the rare lipoma. However, most cat skin tumors are malignant. The four most common cat skin tumors are:
Fibrosarcoma
Fibrosarcomas often appear on areas of the body where the cat was previously vaccinated. For example on the cat’s shoulder blades or thighs. Although they rarely metastasize, they grow quickly into the cat’s body and can cause severe pain.
Solar-induced squamous cell carcinoma
Excessive exposure to UV radiation can lead to these tumors, which usually occur in areas exposed to the sun. This includes the entire region around the mouth including the nose, eyelids, and ears.
Symptoms are red skin with crust formations. Anyone who sees supposed small wounds that do not heal should consult a veterinarian. Squamous cell carcinoma is not prone to metastasis but continues to grow.
White cats are, particularly at risk.
Mast cell tumor
Mast cell tumors mainly grow in the head and neck area. They are often tangible, tough knots. In many cases, they pass to the spleen. Therapy consists of surgical removal of the lump – sometimes the spleen.
Basal cell tumor
If the vet diagnoses a basal cell tumor, also known as basalioma, this can be good news. Because the tumors are mostly benign. Basaliomas are darkly pigmented. If necessary, the veterinarian can surgically remove them.
How can you protect your cat from skin cancer?
The following applies: the older the cat, the higher the risk of skin cancer. A species-appropriate diet and sufficient exercise support the health of the velvet paw. However, you cannot prevent most cat skin tumors.
In squamous cell carcinoma, solar radiation is the cause of the skin tumor. This particularly affects cats with a high proportion of white on their heads. However, the four-legged friends would quickly lick sunscreen off their fur, which also irritates the stomach.
In particularly endangered cats, exposed areas such as the ears can be protected from burns with sunscreen. It is best to ask your veterinarian for advice. It is helpful if endangered cats stay indoors in the midday heat in summer.
With fibrosarcomas, it is important to have the necessary vaccinations carried out but to avoid unnecessary vaccinations.
Diagnosis of skin cancer in the cat
To diagnose skin cancer in the cat, the veterinarian will carefully examine and palpate the affected area. In many cases, a suspected diagnosis is made that needs to be confirmed. For example, easily movable tumors are often benign.
The veterinarian can take small tissue samples using a fine needle biopsy or contact cytology. The microscopic analysis of these samples often gives further clues to the diagnosis. If this is not possible, only surgery will help.
After the operation, the removed tumor tissue is sent to the pathology department and examined there. An accurate diagnosis is not always possible in sick or old cats that cannot be operated on. Other procedures such as ultrasound scans can be used to identify possible metastases.
Skin cancer therapy in cats
Therapy depends on the disease, but also on the current constitution of the velvet paw. If the cat’s health allows, the vet will remove the skin tumor in an operation. Depending on the type of tumor, more or less healthy tissue has to be removed.
However, if tumors that grow inward, such as fibrosarcomas, are located on the shoulder girdle, they can hardly be removed.
Even with tumors on the limbs, the vet and owner have to keep an eye on the big picture: If the cat is fit and agile, it can cope well with an amputation. If she has further (old age) ailments or already metastases, the amputation would be too much of an intervention.
Additional therapy options include radiation and chemotherapy. Immunotherapy also offers new approaches. Palliative therapy focuses on making the remaining time as comfortable and pain-free as possible for the cat. Different pain medications are used for this.
Skin Cancer in Cats – What Are the Chances of a Cure?
No general statements can be made about the chances of a cure for skin cancer, as there are many different types of tumors. In fibrosarcoma, recurrences, i.e. new tumors, occur weeks or months later after every third operation.
The prospect of a longer survival time improves if radiation therapy is used in addition to surgery. Many cats can then survive for two years or more.
With squamous cell carcinoma, the chances of recovery depend very much on the location. The same applies to mast cell tumors: Only the treating veterinarian can make a prognosis based on the individual situation. If a tumor can be surgically removed, this improves the chances of a longer life many times over.
