Cat Ear Tumor

On average, benign ear tumors begin to form in the ear of cats at 7 years of age. The most common of these tumors include papillomas, inflammatory polyps, and basal cell tumors. The ceruminous gland adenomas, another frequently seen tumor in the ear, are a benign tumor that appears on the glands of the ear that produce earwax. The most common malignant tumor found in the ears of cats is the ceruminous gland adenocarcinoma, which is found in the same glands.

Symptoms

The presence of a mass inside the ear is the most common sign of ear tumors in cats. Other primary symptoms include itching, foul odor, drainage, and pain in the area. Neurological signs may be evident in approximately 25% of cats that have either malignant or benign tumors. Ulceration and bleeding are sometimes apparent, but usually only with malignant tumors.

Diagnosis

To begin the diagnosis, the mass will need to be observed and the size, location, possible ulceration, and whether it can move freely should be noted. Histopathologic or cytologic analysis of the tumor will have to be performed in order to determine an appropriate treatment method and to predict the cat’s prognosis.

Histopatholic analysis is the best detection for a tumor, as it can determine the treatment method that should be used as well as the tumor’s type and grade. The type of biopsy performed will be dependent on the size and location of the mass. Small masses will be completely removed along with a bit of surrounding tissues for testing. For larger tumors, only a portion of the mass will be excised. Additional diagnostic procedures that may be done include x-rays, blood tests, and CT scans. Seeing a reputable Veterinarian that specializes in these types of diagnosis techniques is highly suggested. A second opinion would help to determine if it is indeed a cancerous growth or other type of Cat Cancer.

Prognosis

Ear tumors in cats are only invasive to the location in which they are found. They rarely spread to other organs of the body, which makes prognosis better than it could be. For malignant tumors, they tend to be more aggressive in cats. Studies have shown that the median survival period for cats is 1 year after diagnosis.

Treatment

Almost all ear tumors in cats are treated by being surgically removed. Invasive tumors generally require more aggressive surgical procedures, as they will give the cat a better prognosis then using more conservative methods. Radiation therapy is also an option instead of surgery. It is also sometimes used for cases when the entire tumor was too large to remove completely. Photodynamic therapy has been recommended by some as another treatment strategy for tumors, but no clear evidence has been reported that supports this method.

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