Lung cancer edema in cats: symptoms, how long you can live

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Lung metastases in cats are small neoplasms that appear as a result of cancer affecting the mammary glands, liver, kidneys, stomach or soft tissues. These small tumors can metastasize in the lungs, as well as in the lymphatic system, first of all, and then they continue to spread throughout the body. Most often, oncology (and as a result, the spread of metastases to the lungs) appears in old cats and those that have not been sterilized.

When a cat develops tumors, called metastases, the prognosis for recovery and long life is poor. In such a state, it is almost impossible to treat an animal, but you should simply alleviate its condition. How long a pet will live in such a situation depends on its general condition and the rate of tumor growth. In most cases, the period ranges from 1 month to a year. Cancer can no longer be defeated.

If the cat is in severe pain and the metastases are rapidly increasing, the question of euthanasia is raised to stop the suffering. This is more humane than artificially prolonging the animal’s period of pain, which is almost impossible to relieve. Lung cancer is not metastasis. The owner decides what to do in a particular case. The veterinarian can only give his opinion. Not only cats, but also dogs can suffer from cancer with metastases.

Causes of cancer

Today, scientists have not fully figured out the reasons for the appearance of tumor formations in pets. However, it has been noticed that every year the growth of pathology in cats and dogs is progressing. The main reasons for its appearance are the following factors:

Regular and abundant use of chemicals in everyday life. When using aggressive cleaning products, animals inhale fumes, which harm the body and lead to the development of cancer.
Wrong and inappropriate nutrition . The use of cheap feed with a large number of preservatives leads to mutations in cells and the development of cancerous tumors.
Genetic predisposition . Pets get cancer if someone in their family has had similar diseases.
Obesity. Oncology is provoked by poor nutrition and developed obesity.
Hormonal imbalance.
Frequent infections, presence of parasites.
Stress.
Volvulus of a lung lobe.

Cancer is most common in adult cats. But every year oncology is becoming significantly younger.

With this they read:

Abdominal dropsy, or ascites, in cats is a secondary disease that is a consequence of renal, liver and heart failure, as well as a number of other quite serious diseases that provoke the accumulation of peritoneal fluid.

Dyspnea is common in cats with diseases of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Characterized by disturbances in the strength and rhythm of respiratory movements.

New tumor foci that develop outside the organ that was initially affected are called metastases. In dogs, the lungs are most often secondarily affected. Metastasis occurs starting from stage 2 of cancer by lympho- and hematogenous routes, and at stage 4 direct tumor germination into neighboring organs is possible

Symptoms

Oncological disease with metastases in the liver, stomach and mammary glands always affects the general condition of pets. The pathology is accompanied by the following symptoms:

Impaired appetite. Due to intoxication of the body, the animal refuses food, which leads to excessive thinness and cancer cachexia.
Changes in coat structure . The pet's fur becomes rough and disheveled. This occurs as a result of a lack of vitamins and nutrients in the body.
Apathy . The development of metastases leads to excessive fatigue, lethargy and drowsiness. The cat stops playing and often sits in one place.
Swelling . Metastasis affects changes in the chemical composition of the blood. This leads to serious changes in the functioning of blood vessels and the appearance of swelling.
Non-healing wounds. As cancer develops, any damage to the animal takes a long time to heal.
Breathing problems. Metastasis causes shortness of breath and cough. Many owners may notice that the animal is breathing heavily and also makes subtle wheezing sounds during sleep.
Smell from the mouth. With cancer, chemical breakdown occurs in the lungs, which causes bad breath.

Also, with metastasis, the pet owner may find tumor formations in the area of the lymph nodes. This indicates the progression of the disease and the need for urgent treatment.

Lung cancer in cats: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

Primary lung cancer is a fairly rare disease, accounting for only 0.5% of all diagnosed neoplasms. So far, no etiological factors have been found for the appearance of this type of tumor. Lung cancer in cats is treated with surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. The prognosis is often unfavorable or guarded.

Cancer classification

The most relevant for this topic is the classification into primary and secondary tumors. Secondary lung cancer is a metastasis from the primary site; it is the most common form, accounting for 96.5% of all lung tumors.

Primary cancer is represented by adenocarcinomas and lung carcinomas. This article deals specifically with primary neoplasms.

No gender or breed predisposition was found in cats. Typically, the tumor is found in the right posterior lobe of the lung. Despite the fact that it has long been established that lung cancer is caused by tobacco smoke in humans, no such dependence has been found in cats.

Most cancers become malignant, usually originating from epithelial cells . Adenocarcinomas, as a rule, are localized in the bronchi, alveoli, bronchial glands; carcinomas can be localized in the trachea and large bronchi. Overall, the causes of lung cancer remain unknown.

There are no clinical manifestations at an early stage, which is why the cat is taken to the veterinarian quite late. The first signs are coughing and difficulty breathing. Then dyspnea is added, the animal loses weight and quickly weakens, body temperature increases, and hemoptysis develops.

Often, with lung cancer, symptoms of pneumonia appear as a complication, the amount of calcium in the blood increases , and hypertrophic osteopathy appears due to the leaching of calcium from the bones.

Types of tumors

Not a single animal is immune from transformation in the body. Tumors that appear are divided into two types: benign and malignant. What can be said about benign:

They do not cause pain.
They are characterized by slow growth.
They do not affect the general condition of the cat or the functioning of its internal organs.
Not accompanied by metastasis.

Benign neoplasms are treated with medication and surgery. After therapy, recovery occurs. In the case of a malignant tumor, the body undergoes the following transformations:

Accelerated growth of cancer cells.
The appearance of bleeding.
Deterioration in the functioning of internal organs.
Development of metastases.
The appearance of unbearable pain.
Deterioration of the pet's general condition.

Such diseases are treated and give a favorable prognosis only in the first stages, when the process of metastasis has not yet begun. In advanced cases, the chances of recovery are significantly low.

The most common types of pathologies found in pets are:

Lymphoma. Develops due to the leukemia virus. Affects the digestive system of a sick animal. Lymphoma can be detected by constant weakness, sudden weight loss and loss of appetite.
Breast cancer. Mammary cancer also occurs in unsterilized animals. The disease develops rapidly, at stage 2 it begins to metastasize to neighboring organs, and at stage 3 it affects almost the entire body. At the initial stage, the animal develops weakness, drowsiness, loss of appetite, and the formation of lumps in the chest area.
Abdominal cancer . One of the most complex pathologies, which is difficult to diagnose and treat. In the first stages, the disease practically does not give clear symptoms; in other cases, the pet develops regular vomiting, diarrhea, bloating and cramps.
Lymphosarcoma. One of the most dangerous types of tumor. It occurs in both adult and young cats. Lymphosarcoma affects the lymphatic system and is also dangerous for humans. Through direct contact, an animal can infect its owner.

A distinctive feature of the disease is the absence of symptoms, both at stage 1 and stage 2 . Signs of lymphosarcoma may appear spontaneously and gain intensity within 1 week.

To prevent the development of the disease, it is necessary to undergo a preventive examination every six months. Today, every owner can vaccinate their cat, since a vaccine against lymphosarcoma has already been developed.

Lung cancer is considered a less common disease. However, this does not negate its severity and difficult diagnosis. Experts believe that you can count on a positive prognosis if you consult a doctor at stages 1 and 2, when the process of metastasis has not begun in the body.

ATTENTION! In other cases, the prognosis is disappointing - damage to internal organs as a result of cell mutation leads to death.

Preventive measures

It is impossible to prevent the formation of cancer cells, therefore it is necessary to follow generally accepted rules of prevention. Thus, with their help it is possible to protect the animal’s body from the formation of favorable conditions for the occurrence and development of the disease. First of all, veterinarians advise sterilizing your pet, preferably from a young age, before the process of puberty begins. Regular medical examination and vaccination are mandatory. It is also recommended to carefully study the composition of cat food and do not suddenly replace it with another. An effective preventive measure would be a complete abstinence from hormonal pills, which provokes the development of tumors throughout the cat’s body.

Classification of the disease by stages

Lung neoplasia is divided into several stages:

First. At this time, a small tumor appears in the body, reaching 1 cm in size. At the first stage, the animal does not experience pain and the development of metastases. Pet owners can count on their removal.
Second. The disease progresses, affects the lymphatic system, thereby promoting the appearance of metastases in the stomach, liver and mammary glands.
Third. The pathology continues to progress. Metastases appear in almost all internal organs of the cat. When you feel her body, you can notice dense bumps that develop as a result of cell mutation. During this period, the animal experiences severe pain, which is poorly blocked by painkillers.
Fourth. The most serious and dangerous stage, which in 98% of cases results in death.

In the early stages, you can count on recovery after surgical and drug treatment.

ATTENTION! Do not forget that if your cat is not properly cared for, the risk of a relapse of the disease increases. To prevent it, you need to carefully monitor your beloved pet’s diet, lifestyle and health.

Life expectancy at the appearance of the first metastases

In order to choose the right treatment strategy, it is important to know the stages of metastasis. Thanks to them, the doctor will also be able to determine how long a person can live. There are 5 stages of metastasis in total:

Intravasation. At this stage, tumor cells penetrate between the blood and lymphatic vessels. Dissemination. At this stage, cells from the tumor travel through the blood and lymph flow throughout the body. Embolism. At this stage, tumor cells settle in a new place in the body. Extravasation. Tumor cells spread into the tissues around the blood vessels. Height. This stage is final, as metastases begin to grow and spread to free places in the body.

As a result of numerous studies, it turned out that a person with manifestations of the first secondary tumor foci, depending on his vitality and how timely treatment was started, can live from 5 to 7 years.

Diagnostics

Veterinarians recommend immediately contacting a doctor if you detect any negative signs indicating the development of a tumor in a cat. To clarify the situation, the following diagnostic procedures are used:

General analysis of urine and blood, complete blood count and biochemical. These studies show the presence of changes in the body and the level of severity of the disease.
Ultrasound, x-ray of the chest and abdominal cavity. On X-rays and ultrasound diagnostics, you can see the general outline of the tumor, its size and location.
Puncture. Used in more advanced cases. To do this, they puncture the tumor, take a fragment of its contents and conduct a diagnostic study that helps determine the nature of the disease.

Based on the results of all tests, further treatment tactics are determined, restorative procedures and medications are prescribed.

How long will a person live if secondary tumor foci appear in the bones and spinal column?

The spread of cancer cells along the spine is a huge danger to human life. If metastatic foci are not found in time and treatment is not started, then in most cases the person cannot be saved. Because metastases spread throughout the spine and often grow into the lung tissue. And life expectancy with metastases in the lungs is extremely short.

The most important thing a person should pay attention to is very severe pain in the spinal column, especially at night. Against the background of pain, neurological symptoms arise, which also very quickly brings a person to the grave. If this pathology is not treated, then spinal cancer disrupts the normal functioning of the entire body, including other organs and systems. Because of this, a person dies quickly.

In order to say for sure how long people with this type of cancer live, numerous studies are being conducted. During their course, it turned out that if a person with cancer came to the stage when it is still possible to help, then 80% of patients after treatment are able to live another 5 years.

Metastases in the bones are an unpleasant problem, but they can be treated quite well, since they are usually detected in a timely manner.

The presence of bone tissue metastases can be suspected based on the following signs:

Continuous, intractable pain in the bones. Osteoporosis, frequent bone fractures. The tumor is insignificant where the site of metastasis is presumably localized. General poisoning of the body.

How long will a person live with this pathology? As medical practice shows, when multiple secondary tumor foci in the bones are scalded, death is inevitable 10 months after the onset of the disease.

Treatment of metastases

After the examination, the doctor assesses the chances of recovery and works out treatment tactics. Initially, it is worth determining whether the tumor can be removed surgically. If this is possible, then the cat can count on recovery.

In other cases, the body will need to be supported with medications. Unfortunately, treatment is prescribed to prolong the pet's life for a short period. Expectorants, painkillers, and immunostimulants help alleviate the condition.

If an animal undergoes surgery, then after it it will require mandatory chemotherapy or radiation. The following are used as additional measures during treatment:

Proper nutrition . It is necessary to provide the cat with a healthy and nutritious diet, enriched with vitamins, macroelements, and nutrients. At this time, it is better to avoid chemical additives and canned food.
Care. It is worth checking the animal's fur regularly to eliminate the possibility of infection. It is also worth taking care of a clean place to sleep.
Refusal of chemical treatment at home. During therapy, you should try to use washing and cleaning products at home as little as possible. This must be done while the pet is outside.

It is also worth remembering to take medications in a timely manner. This increases the cat's chance of recovery.

How long can you live with liver metastases?

New foci of metastasis arise in the liver as a result of the transfer of cancer cells through the bloodstream. Metastases usually enter the liver from the gastrointestinal tract and lungs. If melanoma is present anywhere, metastasis to the liver is also possible.

When secondary tumor foci appear in the liver, the following symptoms are observed:

"brokenness"; very rapid onset of fatigue at low loads; rapid weight loss; yellowness of the skin, and sometimes the sclera of the eyes; bleeding; dyspepsia.

The presence of pathological neoplasms in the liver is dangerous because it causes serious problems in metabolism. Fortunately, this disease is treatable.

The effectiveness of treatment will depend on the number of metastases, the type of tumor and the strength of the body.

As a rule, they resort to chemotherapy, with the help of which it is possible not only to suspend the process, but also to stop it completely. Treatment can last from six months to a year.

How long a person lives will depend on the timeliness of treatment started and how well the metastases are removed. The outcome is quite favorable if radiation therapy is given in addition to chemotherapy. As numerous experiments show, with rapid diagnosis and the appointment of adequate therapy, about 41% of people live at least another 5 years.

Forecast

To understand how long your pet has left to live, you should focus on the stage of the disease . With early treatment, animals have a positive prognosis; cats live up to 3-6 years. Timely treatment increases the chances of survival. In the final stages, cure is almost impossible.

In most cases, supportive therapy is used to reduce pain and the well-being of the sick cat. The following factors influence life expectancy after surgery:

The work of the immune system.
The presence of metastases in internal organs.
Genetic predisposition.
Well-chosen treatment.

After treatment, it is worth understanding that cancer can make itself felt again. Most often, relapses appear 2-3 years after recovery. In such cases, it is necessary to show the cat to a doctor as soon as possible, conduct diagnostic tests and begin appropriate treatment.

How long do cats with lung metastases live?

The life expectancy of cancer metastases is influenced by a number of factors:

Possibility of removing the primary tumor.
Immune activity.
Correctly selected therapy.

Animals that are promptly diagnosed and treated have a guarded prognosis. After a short recovery period, a return to the previous lifestyle is possible, however, as a rule, sooner or later the tumor process makes itself felt again.

If the process is in late stages, and removal and chemotherapy are not practical, then palliative measures are taken to improve the quality of life. In such cases, a cat with lung metastases lives on average for about a year. When the process is neglected, there is a possibility of developing cancerous pleurisy, which leads to death within 1-2 months.

Symptoms and signs of lung metastases

Metastatic pulmonary lesions can develop covertly for a long time, so they are often detected at advanced stages.

As for the specific symptoms, they are as follows:

Minor hyperthermia can persist for a long time. Similar signs may indicate a primary pulmonary tumor.

They are explained not by the presence of a tumor, but by the development of an inflammatory process in the thorax. It happens that pulmonary metastases are detected earlier than the primary cancer focus.

One of the first manifestations of pulmonary metastasis is cough, which is observed in 85-90% of cancer patients. But metastatic cough differs significantly from traditional cough.

At first, patients are bothered by a dry, painful and hacking cough, which is especially debilitating at night.

Then it becomes wet and is accompanied by the release of sputum of a purulent-mucous nature, sometimes with bloody impurities.

Over time, the bronchial lumen narrows, and the structure of sputum becomes purulent. Sometimes blood streaks are present in the bronchopulmonary discharge.

In addition, there may be signs of bleeding in the lungs. If metastases grow into the pleural tissue, they put pressure on the bronchi, which intensifies the cough and provokes severe pain that interferes with sleep.

How to treat secondary formations?

Treatment of secondary pulmonary cancer lesions is identical to primary formations. Radiation, laser, hormonal and chemotherapy techniques are used.

Surgical intervention is justified only in cases of single metastasis and in the absence of metastatic lesions of other organs. For prostatic or breast cancer with pulmonary metastasis, hormonal therapy is effective. The basis of treatment is often chemotherapy with antitumor drugs. Radiotherapy is justified if there is reticulosarcoma, osteogenic sarcoma or Ewing's sarcoma, which are hypersensitive to radiation exposure.

In addition to the methods described above, laser surgery and radiosurgery are used. If large bronchi are compressed, then endobronchial brachytherapy is performed.

Video shows thoracoscopic removal of lung metastasis:

What do metastases look like in lung tissue?

Pulmonary metastases can be determined using radiographic diagnostics.

In the images, secondary lesions appear in nodular, mixed and diffuse lymphatic forms. Nodular lesions are multiple or solitary formations. Solitary are clearly defined round nodes that are usually located in the basal structures. Solitary metastases are similar to primary lesions. Typically, pulmonary metastasis manifests itself in a focal form, although large-nodular variants also occur. Metastatic tumors are often accompanied by lymphangitis, so characteristic symptoms begin to appear in the early stages. If metastatic formations are pseudopneumatic in nature, then the cord pattern changes, appearing on x-rays in the form of linear thin compactions. Metastasis to the pleural zone resembles pleurisy. The X-ray image shows a massive effusion and tuberous plate growths. As a result of oncological processes in the pleura, pulmonary insufficiency develops, low-grade fever is constantly present, and the general condition of the cancer patient worsens.

Veterinary oncology in animals

Comprehensive treatment of animal cancer Surgical interventions of any level of complexity Chemotherapy Palliative care

Oncological diseases are a serious problem of our time, due to which many lives are dying today, including not only human ones. There can be many reasons why cancer occurs. One of the main ones is environmental change associated with the introduction of advanced technologies. It is difficult to avoid this, and therefore veterinary oncology is becoming more and more common.

Let us consider the main aspects that distinguish animal oncology.