Ovarian Tumors in Cats

Benign ovarian tumors may be cysts or cavities that are full of fluid, and they can usually be removed with surgery. Malignant tumors are cancerous and can be fatal if left untreated. It is important to take your cat to the veterinarian for an early diagnosis and treatment of ovarian tumors.

Ovarian tumors are generally rare, but form in cats when there is an abnormal growth of cells on the ovaries. Ovarian tumors can spread throughout the body, and cats may also suffer from tumors that cause excess hormone production or secrete hormones. 

Symptoms depend on the type of tumor and whether it has metastasized. A cat suffering from ovarian tumors may display the following symptoms:

• Fever
• Lethargy
• Lack of appetite
• Weight loss
• Loss of hair
• Swollen breasts
• Swollen abdomen
• Infection of uterus
• Vaginal discharge
• Change in heat cycle
• Difficulty breathing
• Fluid in abdominal or chest cavity

If your cat is having trouble breathing, this is an indication the tumors have spread and caused fluid to build up in the chest cavity.

Types

Cats may develop one of three types of ovarian tumors, which can be benign or malignant. 

• Epithelial tumors: Affect the skin and tissue, and usually includes adenocarcinomas and papillary adenoma.
• Germ cell tumors: Affect the sperm and ova, and are called dysgerminomas when cancerous.
• Stromal tumors: Affect the connective tissue, and usually includes thecomas, granulosa cell tumors and interstitial cell tumors.

The cause of ovarian tumors in cats is not known, but the condition can be associated with other problems or risk factors:

• Cat is not spayed
• Hormone imbalance
• Infection
• Exposure to chemicals or radiation

Age is also a factor in developing ovarian tumors, and older cats are more likely to develop the tumors due to cell divisions.

It is important to take your cat to the veterinarian for diagnosis of ovarian tumors. Your veterinarian can figure out if the tumor is cancerous and check to see if it has metastasized. A physical examination is done to check the overall health of your cat, and you should expect to answer questions about their symptoms and medical history.

Your veterinarian may carefully feel the abdominal area for ovarian tumors. They may also order routine tests such as a complete blood count, biochemical profile, urinalysis and an electrolyte panel.

Your cat may need to undergo an ultrasound, cytology, and radiographs of the abdominal area to confirm the tumors and rule out other conditions. If your cat is having difficulty breathing, a thoracic radiograph may reveal tumors that have spread to the chest cavity. Your veterinarian will more than likely order a microscopic evaluation and biopsy for your cat.

The clinical signs, physical examination, and test results are essential to diagnosing the ovarian tumors in your cat. You should take your cat to the veterinarian before the tumors become uncomfortable or even fatal.

There are several treatment options for ovarian tumors, and the most appropriate treatment depends on the number of tumors and whether they have metastasized.

Surgical Removal of Tumor

There may be a case in which your veterinarian only needs to remove a single tumor. A benign tumor can usually be removed without any problems. A malignant tumor can be removed if it is caught early and has not spread through the body. The prognosis is usually good for cats who only need to have a single tumor removed.

Ovariohysterectomy Surgery

Your cat may need to go through an ovariohysterectomy surgery (spay procedure) if there is more than one ovarian tumor. The surgery involves the removal of both ovaries and the uterus. Your cat will only go through the ovariohysterectomy if the tumors have not spread through the body.

Chemotherapy 

Chemotherapy may be recommended if a tumor is malignant and has spread through the body. It should be noted that the prognosis for this treatment is usually guarded.

It is important to schedule follow-up appointments with the veterinarian every several months. Your veterinarian needs to keep track of the tumors to make sure the treatment is effective and monitor your cat for additional tumors or health problems. Early detection and treatment of benign and malignant tumors are essential for a full recovery.