Introduction
- Cats develop various brain tumors, most commonly meningioma
and lymphoma . Gliomas are tumors of the supporting (glial) non-neuronal cells: astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia. - An astrocytoma is a glioma arising from astrocytes.
Diagnosis
Clinical signs
- Signs depend on location of tumor.
- Focal signs are likely when a single mass is present.
- Reported signs include: absent pupillary light reflex, nystagmus, seizures (from focal to grand mal), collapse, anorexia, ataxia, proprioceptive deficits, blindness, head-pressing, paddling, tetraparesis, dyspnea, cranial nerve deficits, circling, etc.
Diagnosis
Differential diagnosis
- Differentials are other neoplastia including metastatic, congenital disease, infectious agents, degenerative disease, metabolic disease, and trauma.
- Meningioma and lymphoma are the most common CNS tumors in cats.
Sequelae
Prognosis
- Generally poor, and always progressive, although timecourse can be protracted for some time due to compensation.
Expected response to treatment
- Resolution of CNS signs.
Reasons for treatment failure
- Inaccessibility of tumors for surgical treatment, locally invasive or poorly demarcated growth habit, and poorly documented therapies are reasons underlying the poor prognosis.
Sources
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references fromPubMed.
- Demierre S, Bley T, Botteron C, Fatzer R & Jaggy A (2002)Intracranial astrocytomas in eight cats: clinical and pathological findings.Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd144, 6673 (in German) PubMed.
- Sant'Ana F J, Serakides R & Graca D L (2002)Pilocytic astrocytoma in a cat.Vet Pathol39(6), 759-61 PubMed.
- Stigen Ø, Ytrehus B & Eggertsdottir A V (2001)Spinal cord astrocytoma in a cat.J Small Anim Pract42, 306310 PubMed.
- Vernau K M, Higgins R J, Bollen A W, Jimenez D F, Anderson J V, Koblik P D & LeCouteur R A (2001)Primary Canine and Feline Nervous System Tumors: Intraoperative Diagnosis Using the Smear Technique.Vet Pathol38, 47-57 PubMed.
- Duniho S, Schulman F Y, Morrison A, Mena H & Koestner A (2000)A subependymal giant cell astrocytoma in a cat.Vet Pathol37, 275278PubMed.
- Sarfaty D, Carrilo J M & Patnaik A K (1987)Cerebral astrocytoma in four cats.JAVMA191(8), 976978 PubMed.
- Zaki F A & Hurvitz A I (1976)Spontaneous neoplasms of the central nervous system of the cat.J Small Anim Pract17, 773782 PubMed.
Other sources of information
- Mardell E (2005)Use of external beam radiation therapy in the treatment of feline cancer patients.In:Cats and Cancer,Proceedings of the Feline Advisory Bureau Annual Conference.
- Vite C H (2005)Neoplasia of the Nervous System.In: BraundsClinical Neurology in Small Animals: Localization, Diagnosis and Treatment. International Veterinary Information Service (online).Available at URL:http://www.ivis.org/advances/Vite/braund26/IVIS.pdfAccessed 23rd November 2005.
- Forrest L J (2003) Radiation Therapy. In: Clinical Neurology in Small Animals Localization, Diagnosis and Treatment, International Veterinary Information Service [online]. Available at URL:http://www.ivis.org/special_books/Braund/forrest/ivis.pdfAccessed 23rd November 2005.
- Koestne A & Higgins R J (2002)Tumours of the nervous system.In: Meuten D J (ed.)Tumours in Domestic Animals, 4th edn., pp 697738. Iowa State Press, Iowa.
- Morrison W B (1998)Cancer affecting the nervous system.Chapter42 In:Cancer in Dogs and Cats Medical and Surgical Management. pp 655-665. Williams 7 Wilkins. London.
- Smith M O (1997)Nervous System Neoplasia.In: August J R (Ed)Consulations in Feline Internal Medicine 3. Ch 54, pp 418-24. W B Saunders Co., London.
- Summers B A, Cummings J F & deLahunta A (1995)Tumours of the central nervous system. In:Veterinary Neuropathology, pp. 362370. Mosby-Year Book, St Louis.
- Fenner W R (1994)Diseases of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. In: Sherding R S (Ed.)Diseases of the Cat.pp1537-1539. Churchill-Livingstone, London.
