- Home
- Cat Conditions
- Bile Duct Cancer in Cats
Bile Duct Cancer in Cats
What is Bile Duct Cancer?
Bile duct cancer is found in both cats and dogs, especially those over 10 years of age. In general, the outlook is not favorable for cats diagnosed with this type of liver cancer.
Bile duct cancer is a common liver cancer that can be very difficult to treat, due to its fast metastasis rate and aggressive nature. The overall prognosis for cats with this condition depends largely upon the health of the cat and whether the cancer has spread to other organs.
Bile Duct Cancer Average Cost
From 394 quotes ranging from $3,000 - $8,000
Average Cost
$6,000
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
Symptoms of Bile Duct Cancer in Cats
Bile duct cancer can cause a wide array of symptoms in cats. Below is an outline of the most common symptoms associated with this type of cancer in domestic cats:
- Lethargy
- Excessive urination
- Increased thirst
- Jaundice or yellow skin and whites of eyes
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Enlarged liver
- Swollen abdomen
Types
There are two different types of bile duct tumors that can develop in cats.
Biliary Adenoma
Biliary adenomas are the most common type of liver tumor in cats. This type of tumor is found in 50 percent of feline liver tumors. Biliary adenomas are not cancerous and may not cause problems until they become large enough to push against other organs.
Biliary Carcinoma
Biliary carcinoma tumors are the second type of liver tumor found in felines. These tumors are malignant and spread rapidly to other areas of the body. Biliary carcinoma tumors are typically located within the liver in the bile ducts.
Causes of Bile Duct Cancer in Cats
The exact reason some cats develop bile duct cancer is unknown. However, veterinarians think there are certain factors that increase the chance of cats developing this type of cancer.
- Parasitic infection
- Exposure to certain types of chemicals or poisons
- Environmental toxins
Diagnosis of Bile Duct Cancer in Cats
Your veterinarian will need some specific information from you to diagnose bile duct cancer in your cat. He will begin by asking you important questions regarding your cat’s past health history. Be sure to include any unusual birth circumstances, previously diagnosed health conditions and when you noticed the onset of symptoms.
After taking a medical history, your doctor will examine your cat. He will observe your cat’s gait, neurological functions and demeanor. He will also draw some blood for testing. The typical panel includes a CBC or complete blood count and a complete biochemical profile. He will also take a urine sample to check for infection. Your doctor will also check the liver enzymes to determine if they are elevated. If so, it could indicate liver damage.
X-rays will also be performed to determine the condition of the liver. An ultrasound may be done for more detailed view of the liver. Chest X-rays may also be done to determine if the cancer has spread to other areas of the body. If your doctor suspects liver cancer is present, he will perform a liver biopsy to make the diagnosis. A biopsy is the only way to determine if bile duct cancer is present. This is typically done via fine needle aspiration.
Treatment of Bile Duct Cancer in Cats
If your cat is diagnosed with biliary adenoma, the treatment may vary according to his symptoms. In some cases, no treatment is required as long as the tumor is small. Some veterinarians will use a needle to drain fluid from the tumor or cyst to reduce the likelihood of it pressing against other organs in the body.
Cats diagnosed with biliary carcinoma typically need surgery to remove the tumor. This is the best method of treatment for bile duct tumors. Veterinarians can safely remove up to 75 percent of the liver in order to remove the cancer. Radiation and chemotherapy has not been found to be effective in treating this type of cancer in cats or dogs.
Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?
Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.
Recovery of Bile Duct Cancer in Cats
The recovery period for cats with biliary adenoma is generally good, depending on if there are any pre-existing conditions or complications. Cats that suffer from biliary duct cancer do not have favorable outlooks, for the most part. This type of cancer is aggressive and spreads so rapidly, it is almost always found in other parts of the body at the time of diagnosis. Even if it is not found present outside the liver, the prognosis is poor.
Many veterinarians recommend non-traditional or holistic treatments to keep pets comfortable after this type of diagnosis. This type of management focuses on keeping pain under control, modifying the cat’s diet for optimal health and promoting overall wellness for the time the cat has left. However, cats that are very sick at the time of diagnosis may not have quality time left to live. In these cases, many veterinarians recommend euthanasia as the most humane course of treatment.
Bile Duct Cancer Average Cost
From 394 quotes ranging from $3,000 - $8,000
Average Cost
$6,000
Top
Bile Duct Cancer Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Domestic shorthair
Baby
13 Years
12 found this helpful
12 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Weight Loss
Anemia
Our 13 year old cat lost weight quickly and after bloodwork and ultrasound a carcinoma mass was found on her liver. Further testing showed that it has not spread yet to lungs so she had liver lobectomy surgery and the entire mass was removed. Surgeon said that it did not look like it spread to her lymph nodes or other organs. Lab results came back and the tumor is bile duct carcinoma. She is now still recovering from the surgery, eating and looking good overall. My understanding is that prognosis is poor and that she has 1-6 (max) months left, even though there isn't spread yet and the tumor was removed in its entirety. Is there anything left we can do to prolong her life?
Aug. 25, 2018
12 Recommendations
Bile duct carcinomas are the most common malignant liver tumour in cats and even with surgical removal there is still a short survival time due to tumour regrowth or metastasis; additional treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy not being effective with this type of cancer. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 25, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
Siamese
Kali
13
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Anxiety
13 year old female siamese cat. Odd behavior and losing weight we went to 3 different vets until we took her to Dr. Carter at Midwest University vet clincal center, where she had an ultrasound that revealed cm mass on her liver. Retest 8 weeks later showednd the mass was now almost 4 cm lond. She was operated on by Dr. Maki and the mass was removed but there still some cancer cells seen at the margins upon examination.
We did one round of chemo, which made her sick and caused a bladderinfection. I then read studies that said chemo and radition ineffective in bile duct cancers in cats and dogs. Her Dx was was cholangiocarcinoma, and chemo never recommended with 100% mortality within 6 months.
The following note regarding her health at 6 months was sent to her surgeon including our treatment:
It is almost 6 months since her surgery. I don't have a scale, but she seems to have gained about 3 lbs., putting her at about 9 lbs. Her fur is soft as silk. Her waist and rump are almost a bit rotund. While she does not run around like a kitten anymore, she is still as active or more than any of our 6-7 year old cats.
She is incredibly affectionate now and still readily takes the several holistic medications we give her.
There were three studies I looked at before putting her on Venable's chemo regimen. Of the 200+ cats involved, 21 had Kali's diagnosis and NONE survived for even six months while in chemo with a protocol simular to Venable's. Therefore the authors never recommended chemo for Kali's diagnois.
We are giving Maitaki D fraction, quad strength tincture, 12 Mushroom, 3 ml/ liuid bovine colostrum, inositol, IP6 hexaphosphate inositol, and Denamarin for her elavated liver enzymes. I, and several of my student healers, run energies into her gut regularly.
She looks amazingly fit and healthy for a 13 going on 14 yer old cat, who has become infinitely more loving with all of our attention.
Your surgery has given her at least six months more of a healthy and very loved life! There are no clinical signs so far. But we are still so very worried.
Bile Duct Cancer Average Cost
From 394 quotes ranging from $3,000 - $8,000
Average Cost
$6,000
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
