Cat Transitional Cell Carcinoma

What is transitional cell carcinoma? This is an especially aggressive tumor of a cat’s bladder. The lower bladder neck is the usual location. It will cause an obstruction of the bladder which can be partial or complete. The tube that carries the urine from the bladder is involved in more than half the patients that are diagnosed.

The cells that line the parts of the body that are exposed to the outside are usually involved with this type of Cat Cancer. The skin is a primary place that consists of squamous cells. They have a scaly appearance and are very strong cells. Those in the cat’s lungs and the rest of the cat’s respiratory tract secrete lubrication to the areas and have little cilia that push them out of the lower tract and up to the area that they need to be in to be coughed out of the cat’s body.

The bladder is lined with transitional cells. Their job is to protect the bladder from the caustic urine that is inside the bladder. They are also necessary to protect as the bladder enlarges and contracts with the presence of urine. A transitional cell carcinoma is one that is in the urinary bladder.

Signs and Symptoms

The most common sign that your cat may have transitional cell carcinoma is seeing them straining whenever they urinate. Bloody urine is also possible and is an easy symptom to recognize, provided you are aware of your cat’s natural habits.

Cause

Causes are not known. There is some research that indicates that some Cat Cancer Chemotherapy can cause Cat Bladder Cancer. Cat Obesity and city dwelling pets seem to get it more frequently. It is more common in female cats. There are also some breeds of cats that seem to be more predisposed to transitional cell carcinoma than others.

The average age for diagnosis in cats is fifteen years.

Diagnosis and Treatment Options

Urinalysis and culture are the first steps in diagnosis. Since these may indicate both bladder infections as well as transitional cell carcinoma, treatment for infection with antibiotics may be the first step taken. If no infection is present or if there is a palpable growth, x-rays and/or ultrasound as well as cystoscopy are in order.

Prognosis depends on the stage of this disease. If it has not invaded other organs the prognosis is much better. Prognosis is never very good for long term.

Cats with transitional cell carcinoma have a median survival time of 261 days.

Early diagnosis is vital with this and all other types of cancer. Observe your cat for changes in behavior, whether they are emotional or physical and report those changes to your vet as soon as possible in order for your cat to receive timely help.

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