Symptoms of mast cell tumour in cats

As with dogs cats also suffer from mast cell tumors. The seriousness of this illness for cats was recognized during the last years. Mast cell tumours can occur at each age. Every tenth animal is younger than 3 years when symptoms occur. The following symptoms can be seen:

• Palpable symptoms
• Unspecific symptoms
• Changed behavior
• Paraneoplastic syndrome
• Diagnosis and treatment

If suspicious observations are made, a veterinarian should be consulted to be on the safe side.

Palpable symptoms - mast cell tumor of the skin

Often tumors of mast cells can be found in the follwing aereas:

• the ears
• the eyelids
• the limbs
• the fuselage
• the neck

These are often primary localisations, i.e. 'first origins' of the tumour. Furthermore, it is not uncommon for tumours to be 'multiple', i.e. to occur at several sites simultaneously or one after the other. The mast cell tumours belonging to the skin usually express themselves through hairless knots with clean edges. These knots are usually reddish or white. Please note that many changes are difficult to find as they are hidden under the fur. That is why a careful control is so important.

Examination of mast cell tumors of the skin in cats

Melville et al report in a study with 86 mast cell tumors of 69 cats on the medical history of the animals. Twelve of the 69 cats died of the mast cell tumor disease. The average age of the cats was 11 years (in diseased animals between 5 months and 19 years old). Pedigree cats were more susceptible to the disease. In particular, the publication mentions Siamese, Burmese, Russian Blue and Ragdoll as susceptible to a mast cell tumor disease. Interestingly, in young cats most mast cell tumors of the skin are found in the head area, in older cats it is rather in the body area.

Source: Melville, K., Smith, K. C., & Dobromylskyj, M. J. (2015). Feline cutaneous mast cell tumours: a UK-based study comparing signalment and histological features with long-term outcomes. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 17(6), 486–493. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X14548784

Nonspecific symptoms - tumours of the internal organs

If a tumour occurs in the internal organs of the cat, such as the spleen, many unspecific symptoms that do not immediately indicate the tumour are associated with it. A common symptom is loss of appetite, which is often accompanied by severe weight loss, vomiting and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Cats suffering from mast cell tumours of the internal organs (also called intestinal or visceral tumours) also express this via a change in the blood count, namely anaemia. Blood effusions may also indicate the disease. These not only develop very quickly, but can also be observed as apparently spontaneous bleeding in the body cavities.

Changed behavior in a cat with a mast cell tumor

Many cats change their behavior in the course of the mast cell tumor disease. This is caused by the health impairment and has nothing to do with a change of character, but with the restrictions caused by the disease. The cats feel that something is wrong with their health and often react with withdrawal, lethargy, apathy or aggression. This behaviour can occur in the same way towards the owner as towards other members of the same species.

Paraneoplastic syndrome in a mast cell tumor

Paraneoplastic syndrome is often associated with tumour and cancer diseases. It is defined by a multitude of accompanying symptoms, such as

• a metabolic disorder
• an increased body temperature
• anemia
• thromboses

The symptoms are caused by the often debilitating effect of the tumor disease.

Time is valuable - diagnosis and treatment of mast cell tumours

In general, the earlier a diagnosis can be made by a veterinarian or an oncologist in a clinic, the better the prognosis in terms of life expectancy and quality of life. The therapy with dendritic cells is well established in patients with mast cell tumours, please ask our team for more information.