What is Tumor of the Eye?
Tumor of the eye in cats is a general term that can refer to a large variety of malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous) tumors or growths in various areas of the eye of your cat. The most common types of tumors of the eye in cats are called melanocytic eye tumors which can progress to uveal melanoma. Melanoma occurs when melanocytes, or darkly pigmented cells, grow uncontrollably.
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Symptoms of Tumor of the Eye in Cats
Depending on the type and size of tumor, and other varying factors, there could be a large range of symptoms of tumors of the eye in your cat. Below are a few symptoms of the most common conditions that cause tumors of the eye:
- Discoloration of the iris caused by melanoma
- Cloudy or dark portions of the eye
- Change in iris shape
- High pressure in the eye, also called glaucoma
- Inflammation of the eye
- Irregular discharge in the eye
Types
Tumors of the eye in cats can take two different forms, malignant (cancerous) or non-malignant/benign. The symptoms for each of these main types of eye tumors will begin similarly, but often diverge as the disease progresses.
Malignant Tumors
In malignant, or cancerous, tumors of the eyes in cats, you will see the same loss of vision and other symptoms of benign eye tumors, but with rapidly increasing frequency and severity. Treatment for malignant tumors will also be different, as there will be a greater concern for the tumor spreading, or metastasizing.
Benign Tumors
Benign, or non-cancerous, tumors of the eye will have a tendency to be slower growing and do not spread to other areas. While the tumor will still need to be treated in order to resolve the related symptoms, there is less concern for the long term prognosis of your cat’s condition if the tumor is treated or removed.
Causes of Tumor of the Eye in Cats
Like most cancers, growths, or tumors, the cause for tumors of the eye in cats is currently unknown. Many developmental or environmental factors may cause melanoma in humans. It is assumed that these conditions operate the same way in our feline companions.
Diagnosis of Tumor of the Eye in Cats
As with most serious medical conditions, any diagnosis of tumors of the eye in your cat will begin with a thorough physical examination. Checking the overall health of your cat will help the veterinarian determine if any tumor has spread or if there are additional diseases contributing to the underlying condition.
Tumors of the eye in cats can be easily identified with an eye exam using an ophthalmoscope. Ophthalmoscopes work the same way for felines as they do for humans, directing light and using microscopic technology to help the veterinarian see the interior of the eye. Your vet will be able to easily identify any tumors of the eye in your cat.
Once a tumor of either kind is diagnosed, the vet will need to determine whether it is cancerous and the full size and specific location of the tumor. This information will be essential to developing an effective treatment plan. Biopsies are the preferred method for diagnosis of tumors of the eye. A very thin needle will be inserted into the tumor area and a small sampling of tissue will be cut and sent to a laboratory, or viewed under a microscope in-house, to determine whether any cancerous cells are present.
Treatment of Tumor of the Eye in Cats
Treatment for a tumor of the eye will depend on many factors. Malignancy, size, location, and current symptoms of the tumor will all affect your veterinarian’s prescribed course of treatment.
In the case of malignant, or cancerous tumors, your veterinarian will often counsel that the entire eye be removed. Regardless of location of the tumor, it is often difficult to excise tumors in their entirety on an area as delicate as the eye. Your vet may suggest removal of the entire eye to prevent the spread of the cancer to other parts of your cat’s body.
Removal of non-cancerous, or very small and isolated cancerous tumors may sometimes be possible using laser or cryotherapy. A laser will use heat to treat and destroy the affected cells, while cryotherapy uses freezing cold temperatures touched to the surface of the cells. The main concern with both of these treatments is in obtaining good margins, or clearing the entire area of the tumor or disease. Additionally, each procedure will have the traditional risks associated with any surgery or procedure requiring sedation via anesthesia.
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Recovery of Tumor of the Eye in Cats
Depending on the underlying cause of the tumor, the method of treatment, and accessibility of the tumor, prognosis for your cat affected with tumor of the eyes is very good. In the case of cryotherapy or laser treatment, clean margins or elimination of all affected tumor tissue will create long-term positive outcomes for no reoccurrence of the tumor.
If your cat’s tumor is determined to be malignant, and one eye must be removed, they will have a similarly good rate of recovery. Cats, especially indoor pets that have been thoroughly domesticated, have been shown to survive and thrive with a single eye, and can adapt easily in a household to their changed visual experience.
Tumor of the Eye Average Cost
From 371 quotes ranging from $300 - $8,000
Average Cost
$3,000
Top
Tumor of the Eye Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
DOMESTIC
Harley
7 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
As Above
My 7 year old cat has bruxism for approx 1.5 years,he has a mitral valve insufficiency noted when he was 2 years old. Still doesnt need any meds. He has a backflow/ or out flow obstruction which is
a loud murmur when he is stressed but diasppears once he is chilled out. Have done various investigations, xrayed head and checked for polyps(none there) dental scale and polish as had gingivits and had 1 tooth removed. Iris melanoma became apparent just less than a year ago and this has progressed slightly but steadily since last July.Decided to find cause of bruxism before considering removal of the eye. CT of head and chest and ultrasound of abdomen have not revealed anything grossly, except that on e of his sinus was absent. Did full mouth dental xrays to make sure not a tooth issue and nothing found. Saw a neurologist who couldn't explain it and suggested a behaviourist and feline medecine vet, who is now reviewing all of his history and trialling opiate based buprenorphine twice daily for a week to make sure not pain related. He had previously tried loxi oral for 2 weeks and gabapentin for a couple of weeks but didnt resolve it. Always associated with being alert and concentrating or after purring. whilst he was coming off the gabapentin did start to use feliway and have seen a bit of difference.After his last GA its developed in to more of a swallow and grind.! Current suggestions are he may have a degree of heart pain because of his backflow, or acid reflux or just plain learned behaviour, none of which helps me in deciding to remove his eye sooner( to prevent spreading) or later or not at all if bruxism is pain related and can't find other cause! Informed his eye is not likely to cause pain or be related to bruxism?
Any insight greatly appreciated!
Feb. 19, 2018
1 Recommendations
Generally bruxism is related to either pain or nausea (or commonly both); however the cause may due to various sources of pain and it can be difficult to pin down the specific cause. Whether or not to proceed with surgery is a discussion to be had between you and the Surgeon performing the surgery as they need to be comfortable with the health of Harley before proceeding with the surgery. Other causes of bruxism can be stress, dental disorders, temporomandibular joint disorders among other causes; wait to see what comes back from the Feline Internal Medicine Veterinarian. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Feb. 19, 2018
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Tuxedo
Sophie
4 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
Hi, my cat has a small round black dot in the upper corner of her eyeball, right upper eye area. Wondering if we need to take her to the vet to get treated, or examined for anything.
Nov. 28, 2017
1 Recommendations
There are a few different causes for black spots on the eye and the specific location of the spot (iris, sclera etc…) would have a bearing on the possible cause; melanoma is a possible cause for a dark spot occurring on the eye. You should have your Veterinarian take a look so they can at least document the spot so they can determine any changes during subsequent examinations. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
https://wagwalking.com/cat/condition/dark-spots-eye
Nov. 29, 2017
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Albino
Tom
6yrs
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
Hi our male cat has a large black spot which covers his iris, our vet thought it was an ulcer but after different drops etc thinks it may be a tumour now.He is only 6 yrs of age but is albino and born def also, having to remove his eye and with no hearing what a difficult life for any cat
Oct. 5, 2017
2 Recommendations
Tom would still retain vision in one eye, whilst the thought of a deaf one-eyed cat is heartbreaking he would be able to adapt relatively easily with his lack of hearing not coming into the equation. Tom with his remaining eye should do well with good support, love and nursing care. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Oct. 6, 2017
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mixed
Lady
8 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My husband noticed a sudden discolouration in one side of our cats eye 2 days ago and yesterday we took her to the vet to be told that she has a tumour- probably malignant because it has blood vessels. It is not painful but is growing very quickly. Today it is covering her pupil and is spreading in from the other corner of her eye.
What is the prognosis with this rate of growth? Is it very likely that it will spread too far by the time we can get her eye removed? We are concerned that we might cause her the pain and trauma of an operation only for her to die very soon anyway. We don’t want to cause her to suffer unnecessarily if it won’t give her a good chance of survival.
She is a very beloved family pet and we are so upset and concerned for her.
Black shorthaired
Suki
16 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lump On Inside Of Eyelid
My black 16yr old cat is an outdoor cat ...I recently notices a lump poking out of his eyelid so took him to the vets ,he had a biopsy to which the results came back as a very aggressive malignant ...as he is 16 the vet said he won't make it through an anaesthetic even tho he has never seen a cat as old as suki in such remarkable condition ...he might make it to spring and if he shows signs of rubbing it then it means he's getting pain in it and I have to take him and get him put to sleep...I'm broken hearted.
Tumor of the Eye Average Cost
From 371 quotes ranging from $300 - $8,000
Average Cost
$3,000
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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
