Skin Cancer In Cats: Causes And Treatment
Cancer is an abnormal proliferation of cells that can invade all types of tissues and organs, such as the skin. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer in cats.
It usually appears on the ears, nose, lips and eyelids, that is, in the less protected areas of the skin, although tumors inside the mouth are also common. It occurs more frequently in older cats, is related to sun exposure and is also more common in white cats.
Causes of cancer in cats
In the vast majority of cancer cases, the exact cause is unknown. However, there are factors that can influence the appearance of cancer, such as:
- Genetics. There are cat breeds that are more genetically predisposed to cancer than others, and each specimen has its own susceptibilities as well.
- Food . Food is a factor of great influence on the animal’s health. Certain foods prevent cancer due to their physicochemical properties. The excess of some foods, however, is associated with other types of cancer.
- Environmental factors. Pollution, cigarette smoke, sun exposure… Skin cancer in cats is associated with continuous exposure to the sun. As with humans, excessive exposure to the sun can cause skin damage and cancer, especially in the most unprotected areas.
How is skin cancer in cats detected?
Squamous cell carcinoma in cats appears in the form of pink lesions, alopecic areas, and scabs on the skin that, at first, can be mistaken for sores. As the disease worsens, the skin takes on a more reddened appearance and ulcerated areas with harder edges, such as scabs, may appear.
Ears, nose, lips and mouth are the most affected areas. Although the tumor spreads locally and destroys surrounding tissue, it can invade other parts of the body, such as the inside of the oral cavity, the lymph nodes, and the lungs.
As always, an early diagnosis is essential for treating the disease. If you notice these lesions, go to your veterinarian to confirm or rule out the diagnosis. An exam and a biopsy – tissue sample – of the most affected areas are needed to confirm the cancer.
The most advanced and accurate radiography, as well as computed tomography, are diagnostic tools that look for carcinogenic masses and their evolution. They are very useful when these masses are inside the oral cavity, something that often occurs in this type of cancer.
Treatments
Treatment success depends on the severity of the disease. If the lesions are very small, they can be treated and even prevented, avoiding exposure during the hours of maximum solar radiation or applying a protection factor in the most vulnerable areas, although, in the case of cats, this task is not easy.
If the lesions are severe and it is squamous cell cancer, there are several possible treatments:
- Surgical removal of the tumor. The sooner this technique is performed, the better, as it will prevent the tumor from progressing to healthy areas of skin. To do this, all cancerous tissue and a margin of surrounding healthy tissue must be removed to prevent recurrences. If only the ears are affected, as is often the case, removal may be the best solution.
- Radiation Therapy. Radiation treatment can be combined with the above method to ensure complete elimination of the cancer. This technique is usually more expensive and is only found in specialized veterinary centers.
- Chemotherapy. Drug treatment reduces the cancerous masses. The veterinarian will determine the duration of the treatment so that it is successful.
