Lung Tumors and Lung Cancer in Cats: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, and Improvement TipsThe Power of Immunity to Overcome Pulmonary Tumors and Lung Cancer

監修獣医師：林美彩　　所属クリニック：chicoどうぶつ診療所

代替療法と西洋医学、両方の動物病院での勤務経験と多数のコルディの臨床経験をもつ。　モノリス在籍時には、一般的な動物医療（西洋医学）だけでは対応が困難な症例に対して多くの相談を受け、免疫の大切さを痛烈に実感する。
ペットたちの健康維持・改善のためには薬に頼った対処療法だけではなく、「普段の生活環境や食事を見直し、自宅でさまざまなケアを取り入れることで免疫力を維持し、病気にならない体づくりを目指していくことが大切である」という考えを提唱し普及活動に従事している。

所属：

• 獣医保健ソーシャルワーク協会

著書：

• 獣医師が考案した長生き犬ごはん 安心・簡単・作り置きOK!
• 獣医師が考案した長生き猫ごはん　安心・簡単・作り置きＯＫ！
• 獣医師が考案した一汁一菜長生き犬ごはん こだわりの安心レシピ&作り置きOK!

About Lung Cancer and Lung Tumors in Cats

Malignant tumors that develop in the lungs are referred to as lung cancer or malignant lung tumors.

Primary lung cancer in cats is relatively rare, accounting for less than 1% of all cancers.

Since early-stage lung cancer does not exhibit noticeable symptoms, it is often already advanced by the time it is detected.

Common symptoms such as “rapid breathing,” “persistent coughing,” “coughing up bloody phlegm,” “loss of appetite,” and “weight loss” usually indicate that the lung cancer is already progressing.

Types of Lung Cancer and Lung Tumors in Cats

The cancer that originates in the lungs is called “primary lung cancer,” while cancer that has spread to the lungs from other parts of the body is called “metastatic lung cancer.”

For instance, when cancers like melanoma or hemangiosarcoma spread to the lungs, they are classified as metastatic lung cancer.

Primary Lung Cancer and Lung Tumors in Cats

Primary lung cancer and lung tumors in cats can be classified into adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma, and bronchioloalveolar carcinoma.

Metastatic Lung Cancer and Lung Tumors in Cats

Since the lungs are organs where blood gathers, it is not uncommon for cancers from other parts of the body to metastasize to the lungs.

For example, cancers originating in the stomach, intestines, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, etc., can metastasize to the lungs. Tumors like mammary gland tumors (breast cancer) and those found in the oral cavity or skin can also metastasize to the lungs. Additionally, various cancers such as hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, osteosarcoma, mast cell tumor, melanoma, thyroid cancer, fibrosarcoma, and liposarcoma can metastasize to the lungs.

Causes of Lung Cancer and Lung Tumors in Cats

Causes of Primary Lung Cancer and Lung Tumors

In humans, smoking is a well-known cause of lung cancer, and similarly, passive smoke and living with smokers are significant causes of lung cancer in dogs and cats. Care is required in households with smokers.

Causes of Metastatic Lung Cancer and Lung Tumors in Cats

The causes of metastatic lung cancer and lung tumors vary depending on the location of the initial (primary) cancer. Since poor blood circulation and low body temperature facilitate metastasis, keeping the body warm is essential.

Diagnosis of Lung Cancer and Lung Tumors in Cats

The following tests are available:

• Blood Test
• X-ray Examination
• CT Scan
• Needle Biopsy

As mentioned above, tumors in the lungs often do not manifest symptoms in the early stages. However, as the cancer progresses, you may notice frequent coughing or breathing difficulties. Additionally, you may detect small amounts of blood mixed with sputum.

Since symptoms like coughing and difficulty breathing can also appear in other infections and diseases, further detailed testing is required to pinpoint the cause when these symptoms are present.

However, CT scans are expensive and may require sedation during the procedure. Therefore, it is recommended to discuss thoroughly with your veterinarian whether this test is truly necessary.

Treatment of Lung Cancer and Lung Tumors in Cats

The possibility of curing lung cancer or lung tumors lies in surgical removal. When the cancer forms a solid mass without infiltration, is singular, and has not metastasized to lymph nodes or other organs, there is a possibility of long-term survival post-surgery, making it worthwhile to consider undergoing the surgery.

On the other hand, in cases where the cancer has metastasized to lymph nodes or other organs, or is extensively spread within the lungs, even if the cancer seems to be completely excised, residual cells are often left at a microscopic level, leading to quick recurrence. Thus, surgery is not suitable for most cases.

Surgery for Lung Cancer and Lung Tumors in Cats

There are two types of surgeries: curative surgery and palliative surgery.

When cancer is confined to a part of the lung, long-term survival is possible after partial resection, thus it is worth considering surgery.

Even if complete resection of the tumor is not possible, partial resection (debulking) may help maintain the quality of life (QOL).

However, when cancer is widespread within the lungs or has metastasized to lymph nodes or other organs, it is challenging to remove all cancer surgically, and the physical burden is substantial. Therefore, careful consideration is required to decide if surgery is the best option.

It is advisable to consult thoroughly with your veterinarian.

Chemotherapy for Lung Cancer and Lung Tumors in Cats

Chemotherapy can also be used to treat lung cancer and lung tumors in cats.
However, please remember that chemotherapy is not a treatment to cure cancer, but rather a temporary measure to shrink the cancer. ※It is not guaranteed that cancer will always shrink with chemotherapy.

Lung cancer and lung tumors are types of cancer that are very resistant to chemotherapy. If chemotherapy is recommended to you, it is advisable to thoroughly confirm whether the expected therapeutic effects and side effects will not worsen your QOL (quality of life) before deciding whether or not to undergo treatment.

If you decide to proceed with chemotherapy, you can expect an improvement in QOL (quality of life) by counteracting side effects with Cordy for immune support and domestically-produced SPF pig-derived placenta kiss powder for liver and kidney care.

Radiation Therapy – Feline Lung Cancer and Lung Tumors

It can be used in combination with surgery or as a standalone treatment. However, reactions to radiation vary from individual to individual, and since it requires general anesthesia, the burden on the body due to anesthesia cannot be ignored.

In older cats or cats with pulmonary diseases, the risk of anesthesia increases, so careful consideration is required.

Furthermore, due to the issue of radiation exposure, repeated treatments cannot be performed many times.

Things to Watch Out For When Receiving Treatment for Lung Cancer and Lung Tumors – Feline Lung Cancer and Lung Tumors

Both surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy have their own advantages and disadvantages.

No one understands your beloved cat’s condition better than you, the owner.

“The veterinarian recommended a treatment, but after receiving it, the condition worsened and the suffering increased.”
To prevent such situations, the owner should take the leading role in deciding whether to proceed with treatment, take a break, or opt-out for your beloved cat.

Alternative Therapies for Lung Cancer and Tumors in Cats

As the name suggests, alternative therapies replace treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Since most alternative therapies are less burdensome on the body, it is often possible to combine several treatments simultaneously.

The reduced strain on the body means that these therapies are less selective about the stage or condition of the illness. They can be used to prevent recurrence before and after surgery, in cases where surgery is not possible, and even when the cat’s physical strength is diminished.

Considering alternative therapies can be particularly meaningful in the following scenarios:

• When complications make standard treatment risky
• When aiming to coexist with cancer
• When prioritizing the avoidance of a decrease in quality of life
• Before a definitive diagnosis
• When the diagnosis does not seem satisfactory

It is also possible to perform alternative therapies concurrently with hospital treatments (such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy), which can have synergistic effects. Please actively consider alternative therapies.

Things You Can Do at Home – Dietary Therapy

Not only are we, humans, made from our daily diet, but so are our cats. Reviewing their diet can lead to improvements in their constitution.

Ensure that your daily food intake supports maintaining your cat’s immune system.

The purpose of dietary therapy is to slow down the proliferation of cancer, strengthen the body, and improve conditions such as anemia and albumin levels. At our company, we place a strong emphasis on nutritional approaches as the foundation of treatment.

Cancer needs carbohydrates (glucose) to grow. Therefore, restricting carbohydrates as much as possible can be started immediately, does not strain the body, and has no risk of side effects. However, dietary therapy requires the cooperation of everyone in the household.

Provide plenty of protein sources like fish, meat, tofu, and natto, and reduce the amount of food rich in carbohydrates and sugars.

While dietary changes alone cannot cure cancer, they can slow the growth rate of lung cancer and tumors by restricting the carbohydrates essential for their growth. Although it requires more time and effort than simply feeding pre-prepared food, I hope you can start without worrying too much.

Tips for Dietary Therapy

To help alleviate some of your burden, we have created a list of ingredients. Please take a moment to read it.
Pets and the Concept of “Food as Medicine” — Ingredients to Combat Cancer

Boosting Immunity in Cats with Lung Cancer or Lung Tumors

When your beloved cat is diagnosed with lung cancer, it is crucial to consider immune support regardless of whether you opt for treatment or not.

Our research lab has been investigating whether administering Cordy during periods of immune decline can accelerate immune recovery.

While it is uncertain to what extent there will be a response or improvement, it is certainly possible that your cat may regain appetite and vitality.

In cases where medications such as chemotherapy drugs, steroids, or antibiotics are used, there is also a concern for liver function decline. In such instances, using Placenta Extract Powder from Domestic SPF Pigs in conjunction may potentially minimize liver damage.

Even for cats whose liver function values are already deteriorating, there are numerous cases where liver function improves within about a month of taking Placenta Extract Powder from Domestic SPF Pigs.

Additionally, since lung cancer often involves inflammation, it may also be effective to provide EPA/DHA Krill Oil Extracted from Antarctic Krill, which is expected to have anti-inflammatory properties.

Our research lab is continuing its studies on Cordy, expected to have immunomodulatory effects; Placenta Extract Powder from Domestic SPF Pigs, expected to protect liver function; and Krill Oil, expected to have anti-inflammatory effects. If you have any questions, please contact us.

監修獣医師：林美彩　　所属クリニック：chicoどうぶつ診療所

代替療法と西洋医学、両方の動物病院での勤務経験と多数のコルディの臨床経験をもつ。　モノリス在籍時には、一般的な動物医療（西洋医学）だけでは対応が困難な症例に対して多くの相談を受け、免疫の大切さを痛烈に実感する。
ペットたちの健康維持・改善のためには薬に頼った対処療法だけではなく、「普段の生活環境や食事を見直し、自宅でさまざまなケアを取り入れることで免疫力を維持し、病気にならない体づくりを目指していくことが大切である」という考えを提唱し普及活動に従事している。

所属：

• 獣医保健ソーシャルワーク協会

著書：

• 獣医師が考案した長生き犬ごはん 安心・簡単・作り置きOK!
• 獣医師が考案した長生き猫ごはん　安心・簡単・作り置きＯＫ！
• 獣医師が考案した一汁一菜長生き犬ごはん こだわりの安心レシピ&作り置きOK!