What is Bone Cancer?
Osteosarcoma is the condition of malignant tumors forming in the limbs or within the axial skeleton and causing decay with a potential for metastasizing. Osteosarcoma is considered to be a rare and spontaneous condition overall in cats, and for those who do develop it the tumors are most often benign, yet is still a very painful condition. Its cause is unknown. It is the most common malignant cancer diagnosed in cats and dogs today.
Like humans, cancer in cats manifests as tumors. There are three main forms of bone cancer, but the most common and aggressive is osteosarcoma, which accounts for up to 95% of all cancer diagnoses. Despite this, osteosarcoma is still considered to be a rare cancer in cats. Although cancer can occur anywhere in the body, in cats it usually involves the limbs or any of the bones connecting to the spine such as the ribs, pelvis, and skull. Tumors are classified as either primary, in which the cancer forms directly in the bone, or secondary, where it has spread from an adjacent site. Primary tumors are uncommon in cats, but for those cats who have the tumors up to a third of them are benign. The development of tumors occurs spontaneously with no known or apparent cause.
Bone Cancer Average Cost
From 534 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 Bone Cancer in Cats
Common symptoms of bone cancer include:
- Intermittent lameness in any or all of the limbs that becomes more constant over 1-3 months; acute lameness may be due to a bone fracture
- Hard, obvious swelling over a long bone of a limb
- Loss of appetite and significant weight loss
- Progressively worsening pain
- Generalized weakness
- Respiratory difficulties
Symptoms in sites other than the limbs depend on location. For example, tumors near the jaw may cause difficulty in opening the mouth, excessive nasal discharge if it is in the nasal cavity, neurological effects if it is located in the spine, and urinary difficulties if it is on the urinary bladder or prostate.
Types
The primary bone tumors are osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, synovial cell carcinoma. Each type behaves differently depending on the grade of tumor.
- Chondrosarcoma: Less aggressive than osteosarcoma and has a lower tendency to spread.
- Fibrosarcoma: Usually localized and has a low metastasizing rate unless the tumor is of high grade.
- Synovial Cell Carcinoma: Grades 1 and 2 sarcomas are potentially curable. Grade 3 usually results in death within several months.
- Osteosarcoma: This is the most common type in cats and the most aggressive. Potential for cure is favorable through amputation of the affected limb since the metastatic potential in cats is low.
Causes of Bone Cancer in Cats
Most primary bone tumors develop unexpectedly with no known or apparent cause, especially osteosarcoma.
Diagnosis of Bone Cancer in Cats
There are many key diagnostic tests to positively detect if cancer is present.
- Physical and orthopedic exam
- Radiographs (x-rays) of the observed area as well as the pelvis and chest to detect metastasis
- Histopathology (tissue changes)
- Chemistry profile to check organ function
- Blood tests, including a CBC
- CT, PET, and/or MRI scans
- Possibly a whole body bone scan with a radioactive marker placed in the bloodstream
- Ultrasound, especially of the heart
- Urinalysis to determine kidney function
- Tissue biopsy
A physical exam will help to assess general health and anti-inflammatory medicine may be prescribed if your cat has just begun to show signs of lameness. If an anti-inflammatory is unsuccessful, an orthopedic exam will be necessary in order to identify which bone is being affected, if there are any other potential causes of lameness such as ligament rupture or neurologic disease, and to determine if the cat will be able to successfully adapt to life on three legs if amputation is being considered.
X-rays of the chest will help to determine the possible presence of cancer and if the condition has spread to the lungs or if there are any other underlying conditions such as arthritis. The presence of bone cancer shows as a distinct pattern on the x-ray that is highly recognizable. Since initial x-rays typically do not show small metastatic lesions, all cats suspected to have osteosarcoma are treated as if they have metastatic lesions on the lungs. Up to 90% of osteosarcoma tumors spread to the lungs.
Blood tests, urinalysis, and a chemistry profile will also be taken to check for changes from previous visits. Advanced imaging and scans, along with x-rays, will determine if the disease has spread.
The only accurate method of making a confirmed diagnosis is a tissue biopsy where the cat is anesthetized and small samples of the bone are extracted for laboratory testing by a pathologist. A whole body scan is recommended to determine metastasis if a nuclear medicine facility is available. Laboratory testing will confirm the type of cancer, the grade of tumor, and if the condition has spread to a regional lymph node.
Treatment of Bone Cancer in Cats
Traditional treatment of bone cancer is amputation of the affected limb followed by systemic chemotherapy to address any metastasis. Immediate chemotherapy treatment is extremely important since 90% of osteosarcomas spread to the lungs. Radiation therapy has also been found to be effective in controlling pain in some cases.
A limb-sparing procedure may be a possible alternative to amputation if the cancer is found to be in a lower portion of the bone. Here the cancerous area of the bone is removed and replaced with a bone graft from another part of the body. Additional x-rays, advanced imaging and bone scans will be necessary. This procedure has been very successful at reestablishing limb function once the bone graft heals, which is usually in 2-3 months.
You may choose to forgo amputation and chemotherapy. In such cases, large doses of radiation will be administered to alleviate pain. If this option is not chosen, then the only other alternative is euthanasia.
Treatment of osteosarcoma is very personal decision that should be based on your cat’s health and condition and according to what is comfortable for you, the owner.
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 Bone Cancer in Cats
The type of bone cancer and whether it metastasized will determine your cat’s long-term prognosis:
- Osteosarcoma: With amputation alone, a survival time of 3-5 months is common. Amputation along with chemotherapy has a survival time of about 1-4 years.
- Chondrosarcoma and Fibrosarcoma: Amputation may be curative without chemotherapy.
- Synovial Cell Sarcoma: Grade 1 and 2 tumors are often cured with amputation alone. Patients with grade 3 tumors usually die within seven months.
Immediately after surgery, your cat will be put in intensive care and intravenous fluids will administered to prevent dehydration. Medication will be given to help control the pain. The length of stay will be about 1-2 days. Your cat should be walking again soon after.
Bandages used during surgery should be kept clean and changed if needed for 2-3 weeks. The surgical site should be checked twice a day for possible signs of infection or breakdown.
Your cat should be encouraged to walk to increase the rate of recovery.
Medications will be prescribed for you to administer at home to control real and phantom pain. Medication may be given for up to one month after surgery. If your cat has a catheter, the medication will need to be administered by you through a port for about two days following surgery.
If you choose chemotherapy, there are potential side effects. The side effects will be different for each drug and your veterinarian should amply and extensively discuss this with you.
Proper nutrition is highly important while undergoing treatment in order to maintain strength, quality of life, increase survival times, and improve response to therapy. It can also help to reduce the length of hospital stay, reduce post-operative complications, and enhance the healing process.
A recurrence of cancer is not common at the initial site where it was found, although possible. Instead, it is more common to reappear at another site if it does at all.
A guarded to poor prognosis is necessary until all the results from diagnostic testing has been completed and analyzed, and until initial response to treatment has been noted. The prognosis largely depends on the severity of the cancer and the extent of metastasis. But because metastasis is not common in cats (less than 10%), the survival rate is very favorable.
Bone Cancer Average Cost
From 534 quotes ranging from $3,000 - $8,000
Average Cost
$6,000
Top
Bone Cancer Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Dlh
Whitefoot
10 Years
4 found this helpful
4 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lameness
Tumor
Fracture
Physical exam 2/2018 found nothing. Ffwd to 7/2018, he starts to limp and hold his right hind leg up when walking. 8/3/18 radiograph finds fracture and tumor on the leg bone. Did a fine needle aspirate with no confirmation of what type of bone cancer. Treatment was to amputate and then blood test revealed severe thrombocytopenia of 20kPLT followed by a week later 10k PLT. Surgery was off the table. Abdominal and chest ultrasounds showed no spreading at the time. Ffwd to 9/2/18, difficulty eating solid food, barely eats canned or drinks much, trouble walking too far, lethargy...been dosing with Gabapentin for a month once a day. Would cryoablation or microwave ablation work if the tumor is already this far along?
Sept. 3, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
DSH feline
Ron Ron
14 Years
3 found this helpful
3 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Fractured Femur. Possible Pain.
Microscopic Findings: Sarcoma.
Comment: The small samples include a population of disorganized, mildly atypical spindle cells favoring sarcoma at the site. The morphology most resembles a fibrosarcoma. However, if the mass appears to be arising within the bone radiographically, then a fibroblastic osteosarcoma could be an additional differential to consider.
The above is a pathology report from a biopsy of the right foreleg femur. My kitty is 14 years old and fractured his leg after misstepping into a box while trying to climb to a higher level.
Vet is recommending amputation of the leg. Vet seems to think amputation alone, without chemo or radiation therapy will be "curative". From what is described above, would you recommend amputation and what does "curative" mean in terms of survival rate. An abdominal ultrasound is recommended to rule out lymph node metastasis, in which case, amputation would not be done and life expectancy would be very short. We will probably be going to a veterinary oncologist for a 2nd opinion. I don't really want to amputate only to have him live less than a year. My dog had osteosarcoma and an amputation and only lived 1 year even after having chemo post amputation.
March 23, 2018
3 Recommendations
In a case like this I would recommend getting a digital copy of the histopathology slides and forwarding them to PetRays for a second opinion, they will charge for looking at the slides not for a whole new consultation etc… which may be a good first step to see if the report matches the one you have and get a recommendation from their Oncologists. Amputation is considered curative when the ‘cancer’ is removed in its entirety and there has been no spread to lymph nodes or any organs. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
www.acvs.org/small-animal/bone-tumors
March 23, 2018
Thank you very much for your advice. Still unsure of what "curative" means in terms of life expectancy in measurement of time -- would it still be limited in terms of months or years, or would it indicate best chance for a full life?
March 23, 2018
Ron Ron's Owner
Was this question and answer helpful?
short hair male
spot
9 Years
4 found this helpful
4 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Growth On Leg
Have there been any cases where the bone cancer in cats has stopped growing? he was diagnosed 1 1/2 ago. He limps and on bad weather days it is more pronounced. still has a good apatite and has a lot of life in his eyes.
Feb. 27, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
4 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. Some bone cancers are very slow growing, but they typically don't stop growing. An x-ray would help determine how advanced Spot's cancer is, but it seems that he has a good quality of life generally from what you describe.
Feb. 27, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
short hair
Gary
16 Years
7 found this helpful
7 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Limping
Limping Swollen Foot
My cat was diagnosed with a tumor right on his foot it’s awollen and he can’t walk. The vet took an X-ray and suggestion pIn medication and keep him comfortable. Of course amputation was also an option however he is 16 yrs old and little chunky So for him to adapt post surgery would be difficult. My question is how does she know it’s cancer for sure? I mean not that I know more of course I don’t but don’t they have to do a biopsy? Would an infection not show up as a tumor on an xray? Also, would CBd help shrink the tumor? How long would he have to live if I did do amputation? I’m just not ready to say goodbye.
Jan. 22, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
7 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. your veterinarian may be going on the appearance of the lesion, the appearance on the x-ray, and his age. Some cancers are quite evident on x-ray, as they eat away at the bone in a characteristic pattern. To know how the tumor would behave and how he would do after surgery, you would have to biopsy and know what type of tumor you are dealing with. A biopsy would be best, yes, but it can be difficult to biopsy the foot without causing significant damage. It might be best to ask your veterinarian any questions that you have about Gary's condition, as they are able to see him, know what his x-rays look like and know what his condition is currently. I hope that he is able to remain comfortable.
Jan. 22, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
DSH Cat
Smoky
8 Years
6 found this helpful
6 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Spraying, Diarrhoea, Dementia
My cat Smoky has been diagnosed with Bone Cancer-he had a broken hip which was fixed, but biopsy showed the cancer. They said it was too far gone to amputate as it had spread. He recovered well from the surgery (he had that in September 2017) and is eating and drinking normally. The problem we have is he is spraying and weeing around the house. We wondered if this is related to his bone cancer. He does not appear to be in pain, but we know cats can hide things well. He also acts like he doesn't know us occasionally, could he be getting some kind of dementia due to bone cancer. He also has regular bouts of diarrhoea. His brother who eats the same is fine. We did move from Australia to France in July 2017-he had never sprayed before in his 8 1/2 years, but he has periodically been spraying since arriving. He is an ex-feral so vet visits are very stressful for all involved.
Jan. 17, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
6 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. I'm sorry that he is having this happen to him. Unfortunately, without seeing him, I can't determine whether the cause of his spraying is medical, and he may have a urinary tract infection or pain, or behavioral. As stressful as visits to his veterinarian might be, this is a larger problem that probably does warrant an exam. I hope that you are able to keep him comfortable.
Jan. 17, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
Grey and White Domestic Shorthair
LuLu
15 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Cancerous Lump Or Growth
My 14-16 yr. old cat, LuLu, was a healthy cat until 2018, when little by little it seemed I could feel her bones more readily than before. She seemed to be losing muscle mass and getting thinner. I took her to her vet, who after a thyroid panel, he diagnosed her with hyperthyroidism. She seemed to be hard of hearing as time went on. She never got back to her previous weight of 12 lbs as before that disease, but was at 8lbs pretty steady. She would get an upset stomach at times and throw up. Switched to grain free food. Other than that, she tolerated her meds well for that. Then, in Feb. 2020, she got underfoot by fridge. I accidentally stepped on front foot. Not long after she started limping, holding up that front paw. I had to wait a couple months to save up enough money for the vet. By this time a small lump appeared on same front paw. I thought I broke her foot when I stepped on it. But, upon taking to to vet, cell biopsy revealed osteosarcoma- not a broken bone. That lump grew exponentially over the next two months. I chose to keep her comfortable until the end. She was eating, drinking, using litter box, and even jumping on the bed. Little off things about her let me know that it was time to let her go. Her purring sounded loud and labored a little. She was brave and strong to the end. I wish there was a cure for this illness, as it is heartbreaking. Sometimes I think I caused this by accidentally stepping on her foot to start with. I wish there was more that I could've done for her. Thank you for this forum.
Bone Cancer Average Cost
From 534 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.
