Squamous cell carcinoma in cats, squamous cell treatment, squamous cell carcinoma in cats, squamous cell carcinoma in cats, nasal tumor, cat tumor, squamous cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma.
Squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most common tumors in the oral cavity of the cat, unfortunately this tumor is malignant and has a poor prognosis, however, with the advancement of veterinary medicine, there are more and more different treatment options and if diagnosed at an early stage, we can increase the life expectancy of this animal.
- In this article by Animal Expert we will explain everything about squamous cell carcinoma in cats in the oral cavity.
- From its causes.
- To its diagnosis and treatment.
As the name suggests, this tumor, also known as quadrature oral carcinoma, originates in the squamous cells of the skin epithelium.Due to its high level of malignancy, this cancer develops very quickly in the cat’s face, especially in the mouth, and is even tissue necrosis.
White kittens with clear mucus are more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma in the skin, while Siamese and black kittens are less likely to have this problem.
This tumor in cats can occur at any age, however, it is more common in cats older than 11 years old, being one of the most common tumors in older cats.
One of the most aggressive forms of this cancer is that of the oral cavity, reaching the gums, tongue, jaw and jaw; the most affected region is the sublingual, in this case the factors that predispose to the disease are not age and race.cat, but some external factors that we’ll mention below.
Although there are still no conclusive studies on the true cause of squamous cell carcinoma in cats, we know that there are certain factors that increase the risk of developing squat cancer in cats.
A study [1] conducted by specialists to determine the causes of this cancer in cats concludes that anti-collars significantly increase the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma.Researchers believe this is because the collar is very close to the cat’s oral cavity and the cancer is caused by the pesticides used.
Unfortunately, animals are passive smokers in many households. The same study we mentioned above found that cats exposed to tobacco smoke at home had an increased risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma.
Another study [2] that specifically studied a protein involved in the development of several cancers, including squamous cell carcinoma, found that cats exposed to tobacco were 4.5 times more likely to have an increase in p53.This protein, p53, builds up in cells and is responsible for the proliferation and growth of tumors.
Have you ever wondered if “can I give canned tuna to my cat?”The study we have already mentioned [1] also found that cats that consume canned food frequently, especially canned tuna, are more likely to have squamous cell carcinoma in the mouth.cat that is fed a dry diet. In this study, the researchers specifically evaluated the consumption of canned tuna and concluded that cats that consumed canned tuna were 5 times more likely to have this type of cancer than those that did not.
Squamous cell carcinoma in cats usually does not go unnoticed because they cause large, often ulcerated tumors in the cat’s mouth.
If you’ve noticed a severe or unknown swelling in your cat, don’t hesitate to consult your trusted veterinarian as soon as possible. Another warning sign is the presence of blood in your cat’s water or food.
In addition, your pet may have other symptoms of squamous cell carcinoma in cats:
To make a correct diagnosis of epidermoid carcinoma, the veterinarian must perform a biopsy, for this the animal must be under anesthesia in order to remove much of the tumor for shipment for analysis.
If the diagnosis is confirmed, the veterinarian should perform further tests to check the extent of the tumor if it is concentrated only in the cat’s mouth and to rule out other underlying diseases:
In some cases, the tumor may have spread to other parts of the skull, so X-rays are almost always essential to identify affected areas.
CT, although more expensive, is more accurate for evaluating the tumor before moving on to surgery and/or radiation therapy.
Due to the severity of this cancer, treatment may vary and be a combination of several treatments.
In most cases, surgery is critical to removing the tumor and a significant portion of the margins is a complicated surgery through the area where the tumor is located and the cat’s anatomy, but it can be critical if you want to increase life expectancy.
Radiation therapy may be the best treatment option, an alternative to surgery, especially if the extent of the tumor is very important, it can also be used as palliative care to relieve cat pain, unfortunately in many cases tumors are resistant to radiation.
According to most studies, chemotherapy is generally not effective against this type of tumor, in all cases each case is different and some cats respond positively to chemotherapy.
Supportive therapy is critical in these cases, pain relievers are almost always essential to keep your cat pain-free and improve its quality of life, your veterinarian can also advise you on anti-inflammatory drugs and opioids.
Nutritional support is also critical in the treatment of feline patients with squamous cell carcinoma, some cats may not even eat due to the size of the tumor and the pain they feel, which can force them to breast feed on a tube during their hospitalization.
Unfortunately, the treatment of this tumor in cats is very complicated, the survival rate is very low, the animals usually live between 2 to 5 months, anyway, with the right treatment, you and your veterinarian can prolong the life of your best friend a little longer.
Only the veterinarian who monitors your cat’s case can give you a more accurate and realistic prognosis Each case is different!
The only thing you can do to prevent this severe malignant tumor in your cat is to be careful and avoid what studies indicate as possible risk factors.
If you smoke, never smoke near your cat, don’t even let visitors smoke near it.
Avoid parasite collars and opt for pipettes.Read our article on the best products for deworming cats.
This article is for informational purposes only, in Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or make any type of diagnosis, we suggest taking your pet to the veterinarian in case of any type of condition or discomfort.
If you would like to read similar articles about squamous cell carcinoma in cats, we recommend that you visit our Other Health Problems section.