Cat Anterior Uvea Tumor

The uvea is the part of the eye that is directly behind the cornea. The iris, ciliary body and the choroid which lies in the back of the eye and provides nutrition to the retina. The iris and ciliary body are anterior uvea and the choroid is the posterior uvea.

Tumors that are in the anterior uvea will involve the ciliary body, the iris or both. They can be primary tumors, those that originate in the eye or secondary, which have metastasized from other parts of the body.

The most common type of primary tumor of the uvea is melanoma. Cats commonly develop a change of color in the iris that appears brown. It can take several months to years to develop and in cats may just be a color change rather than forming a mass.

Melanomas of the ciliary body can be benign. They may enlarge and damage surrounding tissues. Others of the iris or ciliary body are malignant and can metastasize to the tissues around the eye, and to other organs.

There are three other types of tumors: Benign tumor of the ciliary body, which can become malignant. The original tumor is an adenoma and the malignant becomes an adenocarcinoma. There are also tumors that will arise from the embryonic tissues of the eye called medulloepithelioma.

The most common secondary tumors are lymphosarcomas.
If allowed to advance, the cat will have pain and eventual blindness, bleeding in the eye and glaucoma as well as damage to surrounding structures.

Signs and Symptoms

1. Color change in part of the iris

2. Observance of a nodule or mass behind the pupil or in the iris

3. Discoloration of the white of the eye

4. A change in the shape of the pupil or continuous enlargement of the pupil

5. Bleeding visible in the eye

6. Sensitivity to light, signs of pain, increased tears

7. The eye may look reddened or bloodshot

8. Potential for swelling or a visual change in the shape of the eye

Your cat may also be experience Cat Lethargy and have a Cat Loss of Appetite which leads to Cat Loss of Weight. They will not be as playful and will have an overall decrease in their activity.

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will want a complete history of the occurrence. A physical exam will also be done. As part of the physical, the pupil of the eye will be examined for reaction to light. To rule-out glaucoma, the pressure of the eye will be checked. It is possible that your family veterinarian will refer your cat to a veterinary ophthalmologist.

Tests such as ultrasound of the eye, blood tests and bone marrow cytology may also be done. X-rays may be done to rule out metastasis to other organs. CT scans and MRI can also be beneficial.

Treatment Options

Cat Cancer Chemotherapy may be used for the treatment of lymphosarcoma with the fact that it is seldom successful foremost in the mind of the vet and the owner.

Most uveal tumors are treated by enucleation, removal of the eye. If the tumor is small and benign, the mass may be removed.

Additional Cat Cancer Pages

Cat Cancer | Cat Skin Cancer | Cat Lung Cancer | Cat Pancreatic Cancer | Cat Cancer Prevention | Cat Cancer Diagnosis | Cat Gastric Cancer | Cat Lymphoma Cancer | Cat Squamous Cell Carcinoma | Cat Mouth Cancer | Cat Brain Tumor | Cat Palliative Cancer Care