What is Soft Tissue Cancer?
These tumors are further categorized into growth types, namely malignant fibrous histiocytomas, peripheral nerve sheath tumors, hemangiopericytomas, fibrosarcomas and synovial cell sarcomas. Soft tissue cancer can often metastasize (spread) to other body parts such as the lymph nodes or blood. The further developed that a tumor is, the more likely that the cancer has spread. For the most part, soft tissue cancer in cats is rare but injection sites can develop this cancer from a vaccination.
In the body, soft tissue refers to any connective tissue such as muscles, cartilage, fat, nerves, or blood vessels. Cancerous tumors can develop on any type of soft tissue and are often referred to as soft tissue sarcomas. Soft tissue tumors tend to share characteristics regardless of which type of soft tissue they have developed on. They often take on a finger-like shape and grow between layers of tissue, making them difficult to fully remove.
Soft Tissue Cancer Average Cost
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Symptoms of Soft Tissue Cancer in Cats
In the early stages of soft tissue sarcoma, there may be no symptoms at all. The first sign to arise is the development of a small bump under the skin anywhere on the cat’s abdomen, limbs or inside of its mouth. The symptoms that follow as the cancer progresses will have very much to do with the type of soft tissue that the tumors have formed on. Possible symptoms include:
- Firm lump under skin
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Aversion to food
- Trouble swallowing
- Bad breath
- Lethargy
- Lameness
Causes of Soft Tissue Cancer in Cats
The specific cause of soft tissue cancer is still largely unknown. Various outside factors can contribute to the development of any cancer. Causes that are known to increase risk include:
- Genetic predisposition - which may be seen more in specific cat breeds
- Environmental triggers
- Chemical carcinogens
Diagnosis of Soft Tissue Cancer in Cats
When you bring your cat in for its veterinary appointment, be sure to also bring the cat’s full medical history. The veterinarian will perform a complete physical examination of the cat. The presence of a lump does not confirm cancer, as many other types of tumors can develop in soft tissue areas. The vet will have to differentiate soft tissue sarcoma from other commonly occurring growths.
A fine needle aspiration may be used to collect small amounts of tumor tissue for testing. This test may provide a false negative as soft tissue tumors are very difficult to assess. The next step is to perform a biopsy, either excisional (whole removal) or incisional (partial removal) depending on the size and location of the tumor. A fine needle aspiration may also be needed for the lymph nodes if the cancer has metastasized.
Blood tests may be requested including a complete blood count and a blood serum biochemical test. Elevated white blood cell counts may confirm cancer’s presence in the body. Immunohistochemistry may be used to identify tissue components. An X-ray can be used to check for spreading tumors throughout the body. An ultrasound may prove more effective for monitoring the abdomen. A CT scan may be ordered to plan treatment if surgery is required.
Treatment of Soft Tissue Cancer in Cats
If soft tissue sarcoma can be identified and treated while tumors are still few in number and localized in one part of the body, the outcome will be more successful. Because these tumors can be so irregular in shape, a combination of treatments carries the best prognosis.
Surgical Removal
Surgery can prove to be very effective at removing soft tissue tumors. As these tumors develop in difficult locations and vary in shape, a specialized veterinary surgeon is often needed to perform the surgery. Recurring tumors are far more challenging to treat, so it is imperative that the surgeon completes the removal on the first attempt. The cat will need general anesthesia for the procedure. A significant amount of surrounding tissue will also need to be removed, to ensure that small portions of the tumor do not remain. A second surgery may be required if any parts of the tumor remain. These surgeries are often not as successful.
Radiation Therapy
This treatment is often administered along with surgical removal, as it is effective at destroying microscopic cancerous tissue. The area where tumors are present is subjected to radiation. This may be done before surgery to shrink large tumors, after surgery to remove small tumors, or in lieu of surgery for cats that are not healthy enough to undergo surgical removal of tumors. Cats are quite tolerant of radiation therapy, making it a common treatment for soft tissue sarcoma.
Chemotherapy
If the tumor present has progressed greatly, chemotherapy may be effective at delaying further growth. It is a treatment that is used in addition to other treatments in aggressive cases of soft tissue sarcoma. Often metronomic chemotherapy will be chosen, which uses low doses of drugs like doxorubicin or carboplatin in combination with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) to decrease blood flow and nutrients from reaching the tumor.
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Recovery of Soft Tissue Cancer in Cats
If your cat has undergone surgery, at-home care will be required during the healing process. The incision site will have to be kept clean and monitored for signs of infection. Prevent the cat from licking or scratching at stitches. A post-surgical check-up appointment will be needed to evaluate the success of the surgery.
Soft tissue tumors have a tendency to grow back due to the difficult areas and shapes that they develop in. The overall prognosis worsens with each recurring growth. If a complete surgical removal has been performed, the cat’s lifespan may be increased five or more years. Even if radiation therapy alone has been administered, the cat may live at least a year longer than without treatment. Long-term control of soft tissue sarcoma, or complete cure, is possible.
Soft Tissue Cancer Average Cost
From 447 quotes ranging from $3,000 - $8,000
Average Cost
$6,000
Top
Soft Tissue Cancer Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Calico
Morris
13 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
N/A
I found a lump of soft fatty tissue on my cat's shoulder blade. It just feels like a soft fatty tissue my cat doesn't meow or hit violently when I rub or touch it. He just meows a lot at night for about a minute and then goes to sleep. You still eats drinks water and uses the bathroom like normal nothing has changed neither his weight. What can I do?
Aug. 11, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
You may not need to do anything, and that may be a fatty lump that you don't need to worry about but can monitor. Since I can't see Morris or the lump, it would be a good idea to have him seen by a veterinarian who can examine him, look at the lump, and let you know if you have anything to worry about.
Aug. 11, 2018
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domestic short hair
Jerry
16 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Weight Loss
Lethargy
Loss Of Appetite
Weight Loss, Lethargic, Decreased Appetite
Decreased Weight
My cat was just diagnosed with sarcoma. It is on his neck between his jaw & ear. I can't keep him from digging at it with his back leg. It is more abnormal by his face. The vet gave triamcinolone cream I have to keep a cone on him to keep him from ripping it with his claws. His blood sugar counts have been up. Last check was 250 but been above 450 wirh a previous vet not treating at all.I've tried socks, bandana on the neck the only thing that works for the area it is in is the cone.I try to give him a break from it at mealtime. I could just use some helpful advice.
May 15, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Without being able to see Jerry or the extent of his disease, I cannot comment on how to help him, unfortunately. If he isn't on any pain medication, that might help, but there may be a point where the sarcoma is affecting his quality of life to the point where it isn't fair for him. Your veterinarian can discuss those things more with you, as they are able to see him and know more about his situation. I hope that he is okay.
May 15, 2018
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Mix
Rocco
8 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting
My cat has had feline asthma since he was 6 months old. It has been severe since the beginning and he has been getting many many steroid shots and other shots in his neck and leg over the years. He was unfortunately handled by some questionable vets at first who thought he was in heart failure (he had lots of fluid in the lungs and the left part of his heart was enlarged) so they gave him diuretics - even shots. We finally have a stable routine of oral prednisone (sometimes prednisolone) and he does great with his albuterol breathing treatments. He has developed spotty hair loss around his neck in some places but the vet has seen this. Tonight he was laying on me and I noticed a hard lump on the back of his neck. He was obviously mad when I tried to mess with it. He seems to be as healthy as he can be. It is spring and his asthma acts up around this season. He is eating well (has some prednisone bloat and weight gain) but he drinks well, and seems to interact well. He can be moody, and sleeps a lot but I really felt as if it’s his medication. He does have problems with vomiting - but usually this is right after eating (so maybe he is gorging himself?) Could this be cancerous???? I feel irresponsible for not noticing this lump after his hair loss issue in the same spot. I am calling the vet first thing tomorrow.
May 4, 2018
0 Recommendations
Without examining Rocco I cannot say what the specific cause of the lump is, but if there have been multiple injections give in the neck over the years a possibility is an injection site sarcoma. Injection site sarcomas are more commonly associated with vaccinations but they may occur with any type of injection, it would be good to touch base with your Veterinarian and possibly get it examined and biopsied to be on the safe side. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
https://wagwalking.com/cat/condition/injection-site-sarcoma
https://vet.osu.edu/vmc/companion/our-services/oncology-and-hematology/common-tumor-types/injection-site-sarcomas-cat
May 4, 2018
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tabby
Ghost
6 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Gagging, Scratching At Her Face.
My cat who is 6 years old has a soft tissue tumor on the left side of her jaw. She gags makes her face, mouth & paws bloody trying to get it out of her mouth. She eats, drinks, sleeps & cuddles with us. I am very concerned about her. Our vet wants her to have a cat scan which is not available around here. She put her on prednisone but that is hard to get her to take. What options do we have other then putting her down?
April 26, 2018
1 Recommendations
Without examining Ghost and feeling the mass I cannot give any specific advice, your Veterinarian is probably wanting further imaging studies to determine the size, shape and other structures affected before deciding on a plan; was a biopsy done? That may be a good first step so you’ll know what the mass is. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
April 27, 2018
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Siamese
Sam
13 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Otherwise Healthy
Tumor Regrowth
Lungs Clear
First recurrence of VAS after 18 months tumor free. Tumor is on scapula, but does not seem to invade bone on X-ray.
Could leg amputation at this point be curitive? Would another tumor removal be possible being over the bone?
April 26, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Without knowing more about the invasiveness of the tumor, the specific location, size and the rest of Sam's clinical history, I can't comment on whether amputation will be curative, or if the tumor will recur. Those tumors are very aggressive, as a rule, but a good surgeon may be able to remove enough of the scapula to give tumor free margins - it would be best to consult with an oncologist, and a surgeon to get their opinions on what the best treatment is. I hope that he is okay.
April 26, 2018
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Female Tux
Miss. Kitty
12 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Congestion Sn
Just saw our Vet today because the 2 week round of antibiotic wasn’t helping she was still sneezing & leaking fluid from her nose. I happen to tell the doctor that she seemed to have a problem seeing when I tossed treats to her - he checked her eyes but noticed that the top bridge of her nose was protruding and he felt it and said that she had Soft Tissue Sarcoma Skull/Sinuses.
He feels there isn’t much that can be done for her; my wife and I adopted her about 5 years ago from a shelter so we’re not sure how old she is definitely double digits according to the Vet.
She is the most selfless cat I’ve ever had; she looks out for all the other cats in the House - makes sure everyone has a full dry food bowl, Fresh Water, And That the box is always scooped .... she comes to us and walks us to what needs to be done: She is Truly an Amazing Beautiful Soul.
Soft Tissue Cancer Average Cost
From 447 quotes ranging from $3,000 - $8,000
Average Cost
$6,000
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