Cancer of the cat - mast cell tumor

Published on 17 Apr. 2008 by alex

What are mast?

Mast cells are the body's own defenses. They come in the whole body, especially in the connective tissue in the mucous membranes of intestinal and respiratory tract and skin from the leather. Play an important role even when the mast allergic reactions of type 1, to which allergic rhinitis, asthma, hives and allergic shock count. They are first in the initial contact of plasma cells formed IgE antibodies on their surface and pour in contact with allergens from histamine. Histmin solves the typical symptoms of the above beschriebnen allergic reactions. Moreover, it also plays a role in inflammation and burns (juckreizauslösend), is involved in the gastric acid production and regulation of gastrointestinal movements involved kontraktierend effect on larger and smaller extensions on blood vessels and can induce vomiting.

The location, composition and function of mast cells, however, differs between species. In the Mastzellentumoren the cat play especially the messengers heparin and the already mentioned a role of histamine ^2.

What is a Mastzellentumor?

A Mastzellentumor consists of an abnormal proliferation of mast cells. The appearance of Mastzellentumoren can be very different. There are basically two forms of Mastzellentumoren.

Cutaneous Mastzellentumore

On the skin are Mastzellentumore be described as KUTAN (from Latin Cutis = skin, the skin on). Typical Cutaneous Mastzellentumore in cats are approximately 0.5 - 3 inches tall and appear white or reddish. Often they are described like rice grain. There are also belagartige tumors or tumors in From small nodules under the skin. In approximately 20% of cases occur together on several tumors. For a quarter of animals leads to the formation of ulcers. Part of the skin over the tumor intact, sometimes bloody, or even hairless. For cats affected agencies are typical head and neck, mostly on the head with the base of Orhmuschel is concerned. In rarer cases, the tumors in the oral cavity ^at 2.

Intestinal / visceral Mastzellentumore

Another form of Mastzellentumors to which the cat can develop independently, affects the internal organs, especially intestine, liver, spleen and lymph nodes in the abdomen (hence intestitnal or visceral, "concerning the Eingeweise"). A specialty is the Milzform of Mastzellentumors, since this is often the bone marrow is affected. Then it comes to a mastocytosis or Mastzellenleukose ^1. Cats with intestinal Mastzellentumoren suffer depending on the affected organs under frequent vomiting and weight loss. Also anemia, bruising in body cavities and fatigue may occur.

How Mastzellentumor fixed?

Mastzellentumore are using a biopsy in which tissue removed betroffenens will recognize. In part, but Spezialfärnungen necessary to the structures of mast cells in Mirkospkop visible ^1. A Verwechselungsgefahr exists with the eosinophilic granuloma, since mast eosinophyle granulocytes attract ^1.

How often come Mastzellentumore in cats before?

Even if Mastzellentumore in cats does not happen as often as dogs, is the second Hauttumorart in cats, the Siamese mainly affected ^are 1. This suggests that there is an inherited predisposition to the formation of Mastzellentumoren there.

The frequency with which Mastzellentumore occur seems to vary from country to country to be ^2. The typical age is disease depending on the shape of eight to 13 years, with certain forms of Mastzellentumors but also especially for young Siamese (under four years) to monitor ^2. The vizerale form of Mastzellentumors comes more often in cats than in dogs (studies report that up to 50% share). The Milzform is the most common form of Muilztumors in cats (about 15%), which intestinal Mastzellentumor in cats is the third intestinal tumor.

What triggers a Mastzellentumor from?

A clustering of cases occur in Mastzellentumoren Siamese sets suggests that there is a genetic predisposition for their training. Causes for the outbreak so far are not yet known. Relationships with FeLV, FIV or FIP are not known and could not be shown.

What are the risks in Mastzellentumoren?

Most Mastzellentumore in the cat are benign, which means they grow slowly, are easily identifiable and well-differentiable and do not constitute metastases. Although they displace surrounding tissue, it is mixed but not as malignant tumors. However, suddenly Mastzellentumore can quickly grow and form metastases and then sprinkle in other area. The main danger in Mastzellentumoren is that because of the increased number of mast cells in contact with an allergenic substance through the distribution of large quantities of histamine to an allergic shock can occur.

How can you treat Mastzellentumore?

For cutaneous Mastzellentumoren is a large-scale removal of the affected tissue is possible. It should be noted that usually an area of several centimeters around the tumor to be removed, because the tumors' offshoot 'images can (multiple tumors). In cases where such an operation is not possible, a treatment with prednisolone, a corticosteroid drug, an. In some cases, treatment with this funding in order to let Mastzellentumore disappear. Helps treatment with prednisolone not, can also be a chemotherapy or radiation treatment be attempted.