Feline lymphoma is a tumor formed from blood-derived lymphocytes.
Malignant lymphoma is considered the most common malignant tumor in cats.
Especially, gastrointestinal lymphoma and thymic (mediastinal) lymphoma have a high incidence rate.
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that can occur anywhere in the body and mainly originates from the lymph nodes within the body but can also develop from organs.
Lymphoma can progress by forming lumps (masses) like other malignant tumors, or it can progress without forming lumps.
Even if your beloved cat is diagnosed with lymphoma, we hope you understand that, depending on the approach, “your cat can live a life true to its nature.”
We hope this information will be helpful to those whose beloved cats have been diagnosed with malignant lymphoma and will undergo treatment, are currently undergoing treatment, or have been told that treatment can no longer continue.
Causes of Lymphoma in Cats – Feline Malignant Lymphoma
Feline malignant lymphoma is a highly troublesome disease where lymphocytes turn cancerous.
The onset is thought to be related to immune abnormalities, and cats infected with Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), especially young infected cats, have a very high likelihood of developing the disease.
Additionally, the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV, feline AIDS) is also considered to increase the risk of lymphoma, and it frequently occurs in cats infected with the virus.
If infected with the virus, the disease typically manifests at the age of 1-3 years, and for non-infected cats, it commonly occurs at the age of 8-10 years.
Lymphoma is classified based on where the tumor (mass of cancer cells) is located, and it is divided into five categories according to the affected sites.
Five Types of Malignant Lymphoma
Thymic (Mediastinal) Lymphoma
Gastrointestinal Lymphoma
Multicentric Lymphoma
Cutaneous Lymphoma
Extranodal Lymphoma
Lymphoma can also be classified based on the type of cancerous lymphocytes.
Classification of Lymphoma by Type of Lymphocytes
B-cell Lymphoma
T-cell Lymphoma – Considered difficult to treat because it responds poorly to chemotherapy.
About Thymic (Anterior Mediastinal) Lymphoma
Thymic Lymphoma and Anterior Mediastinal Lymphoma
Thymic lymphoma and anterior mediastinal lymphoma refer to lymphomas that occur in the thymus, located within the chest, or in the mediastinum, the space surrounded by the left and right lungs, thoracic vertebrae, and sternum.
In particular, it is a type of lymphoma that frequently occurs in young cats that test positive for feline immunodeficiency virus (FeLV, feline AIDS).
These types of lymphomas involve the proliferation of tumor cells in the thymus within the chest or the space known as the mediastinum, enclosed by the lungs, thoracic vertebrae, and sternum. Due to their occurrence within the chest cavity, symptoms may include respiratory issues such as coughing, difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, mouth breathing, and the presence of pleural effusion.
If your cat is breathing with its mouth open, it is important to take note of this symptom.
Gastrointestinal Lymphoma
Gastrointestinal lymphoma refers to lymphoma where tumor cell proliferation or infiltration occurs in the gastrointestinal tract, or where the lymph nodes associated with the gastrointestinal tract become enlarged. Compared to other types of lymphomas, gastrointestinal lymphoma is more commonly seen in elderly cats.
Due to the spread of lesions to the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in decreased absorption rates, symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and bloody stools can be observed.
It is characterized by symptoms that can easily be mistaken for common gastrointestinal issues, making detection difficult in many cases.
If these gastrointestinal symptoms persist for an extended period or do not respond to medication, it is beneficial to have diagnostic imaging tests such as X-rays, ultrasound, or endoscopy conducted, as well as blood tests including protein electrophoresis.
Additionally, if the lymphoma grows larger, it can cause intestinal obstruction, and the affected intestinal segment may become fragile and rupture, leading to peritonitis.
Multicentric Lymphoma
Multicentric lymphoma is a type of malignant lymphoma characterized by the enlargement of lymph nodes located on the body surface.
Main Lymph Nodes on the Body Surface
Mandibular Lymph Nodes: inside the jawbone
Superficial Cervical Lymph Nodes: between the muscles of the neck
Axillary Lymph Nodes: under the armpit
Popliteal Lymph Nodes: behind the knee
These lymph nodes can be palpable under normal conditions but are more noticeable when they become enlarged and can be easily detected through physical examination.
Symptoms include an enlargement of these surface lymph nodes along with a decrease in appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss. As the disease progresses, it may infiltrate the liver, spleen, and bone marrow.
Often, there may be no other symptoms aside from lymph node enlargement, making it crucial to regularly feel your pet’s body to notice any swelling in the lymph nodes early on.
Please note that enlarged lymph nodes do not always indicate lymphoma, as they can also swell due to bacterial or viral infections.
Cutaneous Lymphoma
This type of lymphoma is characterized by tumors appearing on the skin. Symptoms may include redness, hair loss, nodules, and it can sometimes involve the oral mucosa, forming ulcers as it worsens.
Diagnosing lymphoma based on skin symptoms alone is challenging, and it might be misdiagnosed as skin inflammation.
Lymphoma can often be mistaken for conditions like atopic dermatitis or pyoderma, and it is only suspected after not responding to skin disease medications, including antibiotics.
Extranodal Lymphoma
Extranodal lymphoma refers to lymphomas that occur in areas other than those mentioned above.
Thymic (Mediastinal) Lymphoma
Gastrointestinal Lymphoma
Multicentric Lymphoma
Cutaneous Lymphoma
Although rare, common sites include the eyes, central nervous system, and kidneys, with symptoms varying depending on the affected area.
In cases of renal lymphoma, symptoms of acute renal failure are observed. In ocular lymphoma, ophthalmological symptoms such as uveitis, keratitis, and glaucoma are observed.
Intra-abdominal Lymphoma – Canine Lymphoma
Although separate from the above classifications, your veterinarian may mention intra-abdominal lymphoma, referring to lymphoma located within the abdominal cavity.
The term “intra-abdominal” refers to the area below the diaphragm where the internal organs are situated.
The general term for lymphomas occurring in this region is “intra-abdominal lymphoma.”
Intra-abdominal lymphoma can include tumors in the mesenteric lymph nodes, gastrointestinal lymphoma, and hepatic lymphoma.
Since they affect the internal organs, as the tumors grow larger, they can compress the organs within the abdominal cavity, causing respiratory effects (such as dyspnea and labored breathing), gastrointestinal symptoms such as decreased appetite, vomiting, and weight loss.
Symptoms of Lymphoma in Cats
When a cat develops lymphoma, symptoms such as “superficial lumps,” “reduced energy and appetite,” and “rapid breathing” appear and worsen over time.
In cats, mediastinal (thymic) lymphoma often results in coughing and pleural effusion.
Gradually, severe respiratory distress and oxygen deficiency can occur.
An oxygen chamber for pets can alleviate the cat’s discomfort.
Since they are available for rental, you might consult your veterinarian or contact a provider directly.
It is difficult to diagnose lymphoma based solely on symptoms; however, if multiple lymph nodes are swollen or respiratory distress worsens gradually, it could indicate an infection or lymphoma, so an early examination is recommended.
A definitive diagnosis of malignant lymphoma can be made using fine-needle aspiration (biopsy) to extract cells from the enlarged area or surgical tissue sample extraction.
If the enlargement is substantial, a fine-needle aspiration can extract enough cells. However, if the enlargement is small or insufficient cells are obtained, it may result in an incorrect diagnosis.
Aggressive treatments like chemotherapy cannot begin unless lymphoma is definitively diagnosed.
Classification into ‘Low-Grade’/’B-Cell’ which progresses quickly but responds well to chemotherapy, and ‘High-Grade’/’T-Cell’ which progresses slowly but responds poorly to chemotherapy, is also important.
Other examinations include the following:
Other Lymphoma Examinations
Palpation to observe lymph node swelling
Ultrasonography (ultrasound imaging) to observe spleen and internal lymph node swelling
X-ray to observe the accumulation of pleural effusion
Blood tests
These examinations are performed to clarify the possibility of lymphoma, to determine if drug treatments are effective, to assess the extent of side effects from drug treatments, and to predict prognosis.
Many pet owners feel somewhat reassured after examinations, but keep in mind that multiple examinations will not improve the cat’s condition. Remember that examinations can be stressful for the cat as well.
### Translation to English
Of course, tests conducted before implementing symptom relief measures, such as assessing the accumulation of pleural effusion before drainage, are useful.
When a veterinarian suggests “let’s do a test,” it is recommended to confirm the purpose of the test, whether it is necessary, and if there are any disadvantages to conducting the test. Additionally, when listening to the test results, it is advisable to take notes or record the information to avoid forgetting explanations due to being upset.
Chemotherapy for Feline Lymphoma
Since lymphoma spreads cancer cells throughout the body, aside from surgeries aimed at symptom relief, it is generally not treated with surgery.
The treatment for feline lymphoma has primarily been medication therapy (chemotherapy) involving the administration of anti-cancer drugs and steroids. In reality, there are no other options besides medication therapy, and it remains the standard treatment.
While anti-cancer drugs cause significant damage to cats, they quickly reduce lymphoma cells. If used effectively, they can become a powerful weapon.
In standard chemotherapy, multiple anti-cancer drugs are administered simultaneously or at staggered intervals. The main reasons for using multiple drugs are as follows:
Reasons for Using Multiple Anti-Cancer Drugs for Lymphoma
To achieve a strong cell-killing effect through synergistic effects.
To disperse side effects compared to using a large amount of a single anti-cancer drug, thereby reducing the risk of fatal damage to the cat.
Lymphoma is one of the cancer types most responsive to anti-cancer drugs. Therefore, many animal hospitals will likely recommend medication therapy.
If chemotherapy is highly successful, it can achieve a remission state.
In remission, the cat’s condition may improve to the point where it seems to have forgotten it was ill. However, some cats may not regain their previous vitality due to the residual damage from the anti-cancer drugs.
Lymphoma is a tumor that is relatively responsive to anti-cancer drugs.
Focusing solely on completing the protocol can sometimes prevent noticing side effects, and continuing treatment despite severe side effects can shorten the cat’s life.
Some veterinarians claim that ‘pets do not experience strong side effects like humans,’ but dogs and cats cannot speak, so there are times when we might not notice if they show signs of minor discomfort.
Additionally, animals have an instinct to ‘hide their weaknesses (as showing them in the wild could get them eaten)’, so they might conceal symptoms they can endure.
Side effects of chemotherapy drugs often become prominent around the third to fourth day after administration. Therefore, please monitor for any changes, even slight ones, in their appetite or behavior (such as the amount of time they are awake or their energy during walks).
We have compiled information on the medicines used in chemotherapy protocols and other types of chemotherapy drugs on another page, so please refer to it.
Remission is when no cancer cells are found during a test. In lymphoma treatment, achieving remission is the primary goal.
When remission is achieved, the pet’s condition significantly improves, and cats regain their previous energy levels. Unfortunately, even after achieving remission, most cats relapse within several weeks to months.
However, by ensuring that the cat’s immune system is working well and providing nutrition that makes it difficult for lymphoma to grow, it is possible to maintain remission for a longer period.
If a cat’s lymphoma, which has gone into remission after chemotherapy, increases again in size, the lymphoma becomes more resistant to the initial treatment, making chemotherapy less effective.
It is not uncommon for chemotherapy to become ineffective after initially showing good results.
Continuing ineffective chemotherapy treatment has no benefits.
To avoid regretting your choice later and truly understanding the reality of pharmacological treatment, it is important to acknowledge that “chemotherapy has side effects,” “the effects of chemotherapy are temporary,” and “if resistance to the drug develops, continuing chemotherapy will not yield treatment benefits.” Based on this understanding, you should decide whether to continue or stop the treatment.
To Avoid Regretting Lymphoma Treatment in Cats
Things to Confirm When Recommended Chemotherapy Treatment
Hearing that “life expectancy is 1-2 months without treatment” can make you feel like you must rely on the veterinarian. When told, “if untreated, the symptoms will worsen,” anyone would think that starting chemotherapy treatment quickly would be wise.
However, if told that “with chemotherapy, life expectancy is six months; without it, it’s 1-2 months,” that only applies if the chemotherapy is very effective with minimal side effects.
Can chemotherapy prevent the progression of symptoms? Will the symptoms definitely improve? Will the effects last? Are there no side effects?
The answer is…
■You are a professional translator proficient in both Japanese and English.
■You are an expert in veterinary medicine, especially for companion animals like dogs and cats.
■You are also knowledgeable about alternative medicine.
Translate the following text to en:
“Chemotherapy can sometimes alleviate symptoms if it works. However, there are side effects, and the effects don’t last indefinitely. Once drug resistance develops and the treatment no longer works, the disease will progress, and symptoms will appear and worsen just as they would without treatment.”
Therefore, when chemotherapy is recommended, make sure to thoroughly understand the side effects (disadvantages) as well as the benefits (advantages).
When continuing treatment with chemotherapy or steroid medications, the primary consideration should be whether the treatment is effective for the cat and whether the cat is suffering from side effects.
Don’t forget that this is treatment for your cat
The side effects of chemotherapy treatment cannot be neglected. It requires extreme caution to avoid continuing the treatment beyond the cat’s physical limits. Please, we ask all pet owners to diligently monitor the health changes in their cats during chemotherapy treatment.
Relying solely on drug treatment can lead to physical exhaustion and immune depletion in most cases, making it difficult to achieve long-term remission (prolonged period of good health). To avoid placing additional burdens on your cat, we strongly recommend incorporating supplements and dietary therapy to potentially enhance the effects of chemotherapy and reduce side effects.
The main actors in lymphoma treatment are your cat and you, the owner. Rather than leaving everything to the veterinary hospital, make good use of their services.
Some veterinary hospitals may opt for aggressive chemotherapy to treat lymphoma until the cat’s strength is depleted, while others may prioritize the cat’s well-being and perform the minimum necessary treatment. Since different veterinary hospitals have varying approaches, it’s best to choose one that aligns with your preferences and expectations.
We also encourage proactive measures at home alongside the treatment at the veterinary hospital. Further details on what you can do at home will be described later, so please use them as a reference.
Boost Stamina and Immunity with Cordy for Long-term Remission
Our company is genuinely committed to combating feline lymphoma.
We believe that stamina, diet, nutrition, interactions, and environment, in addition to immunity, are all important. We think that a multi-faceted approach is the key to controlling lymphoma, and that chemotherapy and steroids are just one part of this approach.
Our conviction stems from numerous conversations with pet owners and veterinarians who have treated many cases of lymphoma and achieved certain results, and from observing the responsiveness to Cordy.
We do not recommend relying solely on drug treatment.
The potential for long-term suppression of lymphoma lies in adopting the “best of both worlds” approach to various treatments. Rather than betting everything on aggressive drug treatment from the start, why not also focus on building stamina, enhancing immunity, and reviewing the living environment?
In reality, many pet owners have managed to maintain their cats in remission from lymphoma for an extended period. Never give up.
Can be used in combination with anticancer drugs and steroids.
Expected to enhance the effects of chemotherapy.
Expected to mitigate the loss of appetite and vitality caused by chemotherapy.
Expected to reduce the immune suppression caused by chemotherapy.
Can be administered even if chemotherapy is not possible due to lack of physical strength.
Points to Undertake During Treatment
Feline malignant lymphoma is a severe disease.
There are different classifications such as low-grade, high-grade, B-cell, and T-cell, but all are treatment-resistant cancers.
Although anticancer drug treatment is said to be effective, listening to pet owners suggests that there are few cats who have achieved remarkable effects and remained healthy for a long time through anticancer treatments for malignant lymphoma.
It is believed that factors such as old age, lack of physical strength, and complications prevent the expected results. There are also not few cases where treatment is forcibly continued despite a lack of physical strength, leading to discontinuation due to side effects.
Although it is said that cats show fewer side effects than humans, this opinion may need re-evaluation. Cats cannot express nausea, dizziness, or numbness.
The ambiguity of the normal range of cat blood test values may also make side effects appear less noticeable.
We recommend using Cordy to enhance the effects of anticancer drug treatment while reducing side effects.
This may increase the inherent immunity and natural healing abilities in cats, thereby maintaining their quality of life (QOL).
When anticancer treatment is initiated, physical strength and immunity almost certainly decline, so it is advisable to consider measures against this. Start by providing good food to build up enough strength to avoid discontinuing treatment due to side effects. And make sure not to lower immunity.
Primarily, immunity is the key to cancer suppression, with anticancer drugs essentially playing a supplementary role.
With Cordy, there are cases where cats regain vitality and appetite, significantly improving QOL and maintaining long-term remission.
I believe there is potential in taking the best from various treatments. It is important to combine complementary treatments rather than relying solely on anticancer drug therapy.
Utilizing Immune Power for Lymphoma
There are numerous cases where administering Cordy to cats with lymphoma has led to improvements or prevented the condition from worsening.
You can determine the effectiveness of Cordy within a short period of about one to one and a half months, and it does not burden the body.
When your beloved cat is afflicted with lymphoma, whether or not you opt for treatment, it is very important to take immune measures.
Our laboratory continues to research whether administering Cordy when immunity is low can speed up the recovery of immune strength.
It is uncertain to what extent your pet will respond to treatment or how much improvement can be expected, but there is a sufficient possibility that the pet’s appetite will improve and they will regain their vitality.
When using medications such as chemotherapy, steroids, or antibiotics, liver function decline is a concern. In such cases, concurrent use of domestically-produced SPF pork-derived placenta extract may help minimize liver damage.
Even for pets whose liver values have already worsened, there are numerous instances where liver function improves in about a month after taking domestically-produced SPF pork-derived placenta extract.
Additionally, since lymphoma often involves inflammation, it is also thought to be effective to give EPA/DHA krill oil extracted from Antarctic krill, which is expected to have anti-inflammatory properties.
Our lab continues to research Cordy, which is expected to have immune-modulating effects, domestically-produced SPF pork-derived placenta extract, which is expected to protect liver function, and krill oil, which is expected to have anti-inflammatory effects. If you have any questions, please contact us.
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