Introduction
Despite the often negative outlook for a cancer diagnosis, with timely detection and action many types of cancer in cats can have effective treatments.
Treating Cancer in Cats
Surgical Options
Surgery is the treatment of choice for some cancers in cats. A localized tumor can usually be surgically removed and, when detected early, the procedure carries an excellent success rate. Upon removal, the veterinarian will evaluate how aggressively the cancer has spread to other organs in the cat's body and will use this information to assess the outlook for the animal and establish a course of action.
Non-Surgical Options
In cases where a tumor is inoperable, radiation, biological, or chemical therapies may be a recommended alternative for treating cancer in cats. During radiation therapy, malignant cells are killed by exposre to high levels of radiation. In a similar fashion, chemotherapy kills cancer cells while sparing normal healthy cells. In some cases the veterinarian may pursue a combination of therapies, such as surgery plus radiation.
Supportive Cancer Therapies
Modern cancer management in cats goes well beyond the initial treatment of the cancer cells. Nutritional support, pain management, ulcer prevention, physical therapy, and other supportive techniques are all key components to maintaining the cats's quality of life.