How long do cats live with injection site sarcoma?
In general, these are difficult tumors to treat and cure is rare. Surgery alone can offer an overall survival of 12-16 months and the longest prognosis is given when an aggressive first surgery is done by a board-certified veterinary surgeon.
How is injection site sarcoma treated?
How is it treated?
- Surgery. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for injection-site sarcoma.
- Radiation Therapy. Radiation therapy may be performed either before or after surgical removal of the tumor in order to treat any residual tumor cells that may remain after surgery.
- Chemotherapy.
What is vaccine-associated sarcoma in cats?
A vaccine-associated sarcoma (VAS) or feline injection-site sarcoma (FISS) is a type of malignant tumor found in cats (and often, dogs and ferrets) which has been linked to certain vaccines. VAS has become a concern for veterinarians and cat owners alike and has resulted in changes in recommended vaccine protocols.
What causes Fiss?
Feline injection site sarcomas (FISS; also known as vaccine-associated sarcomas) have been recognized for >20 years. Although uncommon, these tumors are iatrogenic, and vaccination against rabies and feline leukemia virus is perhaps the most common inciting cause.
Does sarcoma spread quickly?
Most stage II and III sarcomas are high-grade tumors. They tend to grow and spread quickly. Some stage III tumors have already spread to nearby lymph nodes. Even when these sarcomas have not yet spread to lymph nodes, the risk of spread (to lymph nodes or distant sites) is very high.
How fast does sarcoma grow in cats?
High-grade tumors will metastasize in ~25% of cats. These tumors often grow slowly and grow passively along tissue planes. STS are often first noted as a lump by the owners that often grow slowly over time.
How common is feline injection site sarcoma?
Injection-site sarcomas are considered to be a rare development. Reports indicate that they occur at a rate of about 1 case per 10,000 to 30,000 vaccinations.
How fast do injection site sarcomas grow?
Time from vaccination to tumor development is typically between 3 months and 4 years. A smaller number of tumors develop 5 or more years after vaccine administration.
How fast does feline sarcoma grow?
Cats with fibrosarcomas will develop a palpable lump or mass under their skin after an injection or vaccination has been administered. 1 This lump can appear within a couple of days, months or even years after the injection and be locally aggressive but fibrosarcomas are slow to spread to other parts of the body.
How do you know if sarcoma is spreading?
X-rays: X-rays of the part of your body with the lump are often the first tests done. If cancer is found, a chest x-ray may be done to see if it has spread to your lungs. Ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to make pictures of the inside of the body. It can help show if the lump is solid or filled with fluid.
Are cat sarcomas painful?
Clinical Signs of Sarcoma in Cats Lameness: If the mass is located on one of your cat’s limbs or in an area that could restrict your feline’s movements, your cat may limp. Pain: Soft tissue sarcomas are typically painless, but some — such as ones that develop in the myelin sheath — can cause pain.
Which is the most common injection site sarcoma in cats?
Feline injection-site sarcoma arises from connective tissues. The most common injection-site sarcoma in cats is a fibrosarcoma. Regardless of underlying tissue type, all injection site sarcomas behave as locally aggressive tumors with a modest chance of spread to distant sites in the body.
How is radiation therapy done for a cat with sarcoma?
Radiation therapy may be performed either before or after surgical removal of the tumor in order to treat any residual tumor cells that may remain after surgery. Radiation therapy is performed on a daily basis, Monday through Friday, for 4 weeks. A brief anesthetic episode is necessary so that your cat remains still for treatment.
Is there a cure for feline infectious peritonitis?
Unfortunately, there is no known cure or effective treatment for FIP at this time. Some treatments may induce short-term remissions in a small percentage of cats; however, FIP is a fatal disease. Treatment is generally aimed at supportive care, such as good nursing care and nutrition, and alleviating the inflammatory response of the disease.
Who is at risk for feline infectious peritonitis?
Any cat that carries FeCV is potentially at risk for developing FIP, but younger cats are at greater risk of developing FIP, with approximately 70% of cases diagnosed in cats less than 1 1/2 years of age and 50% of cases occurring in cats less than 7 months of age.