What are Ovarian Tumors?
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.
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Symptoms of Ovarian Tumors in Cats
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.
Causes of Ovarian Tumors in Cats
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.
Diagnosis of Ovarian Tumors in Cats
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.
Treatment of Ovarian Tumors in Cats
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.
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Recovery of Ovarian Tumors in Cats
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.
Ovarian Tumors Average Cost
From 411 quotes ranging from $500 - $3,000
Average Cost
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Top
Ovarian Tumors Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Angora
Pussily
5 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Tumor
Lombar
Bilateral
About Pussily!
Thank you very much!
Please recommend me URGENTLY a center giving the second opinion for histopatologic diagnosis and eventually a scheduled oncologic treatment!
Do you know something about the arterial embolisation of abdominal tumors of cats or about treatment by intra-arterial catheter for focused chemotherapy?
Read more at: https://www.vetary.com/cat/condition/ovarian-tumors
July 26, 2017
2 Recommendations
If you are looking for a second opinion for a histopathologic image then PetRays would be your best bet. If you are looking for a Veterinary Oncologist, visit the VetSpecialist link below to search for an Oncologist in your area; alternatively, visit your closest Veterinary School by checking the AVMA link (this covers all Veterinary Schools in the USA and abroad accredited by the AVMA). Regards Dr Callum Turner DVMhttp://petrays.com/services/oncology/http://find.vetspecialists.com/https://www.avma.org/ProfessionalDevelopment/Education/Accreditation/Colleges/Documents/colleges_accredited.pdf
July 26, 2017
Thank you very much!
July 26, 2017
Pussily's Owner
Was this question and answer helpful?
Angora
Pussily
5 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Large Lombar Masses
Hello! I'm an endocrinologist from Iasi, Romania. Please help me to help my dear Angora cat, 5 y old, virgine.
She passed on 22 dec. 2016 a panhysterectomy for a large pelvine mass, subsequently diagnosed here as "papillary adenocarcinoma".
On reapeated US examinations and clinically we observed the progressive increase of new mass (masses) and probably multiple intra-abdominal (only!) masses.
She eats all the time, day and night, behaves as usual, not weakened.
On the web, inclusive Medline, I didn't find the "papillary" type of ovarian adenocarcinoma in the cats.
Do you know some info's about this type of ovarian tumor in the cat? May be a wrong pathologique diagnosis?
July 26, 2017
1 Recommendations
I am not familiar with papillary adenocarcinoma in cats, it is a rare ovarian tumour which has been identified in dogs, cows and pigs. As you know, when performing histopathology, a diagnosis is made based on the origin of the cells, size, shape, phenotype and histological features. If you have concerns regarding the diagnosis, you may be able to request digital images from the pathology laboratory and to send them to a telemedicine provider for a second opinion as treatment will be dependant on a firm diagnosis. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
Thank you very much!
Please recommend me a center giving the second opinion for histopathologic diagnosis and eventually a scheduled oncologic treatment!
July 26, 2017
Pussily's Owner
Was this question and answer helpful?
Ovarian Tumors Average Cost
From 411 quotes ranging from $500 - $3,000
Average Cost
$750
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