Retrospective study of 60 cases of feline lymphosarcoma.
OBJECTIVE
To characterise epidemiological and clinical findings, and diagnostic procedures undertaken, in cats with lymphosarcoma at a veterinary teaching hospital.


METHODS
Retrospective case study.


METHODS
Hospital records were reviewed for 7159 cats, sick or healthy, examined during a 10-year period (1984 to 1994). Sixty cats with lymphosarcoma were identified and classified by anatomical location of the tumor. Data on breed, age, sex, clinical signs and diagnostic procedures were collated.


RESULTS
The prevalence of feline lymphosarcoma in the hospital population was 0.84%. Siamese cats appeared predisposed to lymphosarcoma but other purebreds were not. Males were somewhat overrepresented amongst affected cats. Similar numbers of cases (12 to 18) were seen in each of the four anatomic categories (multicentric, mediastinal, alimentary and extranodal). Cats with mediastinal lymphosarcoma were mostly young and Siamese. Clinical signs in affected cats were varied, usually multiple and often nonspecific. Two of 22 cases tested positive for feline leukaemia virus antigen in blood and 6 of 13 were positive for feline immunodeficiency virus antibody.


CONCLUSIONS
Extranodal lymphosarcoma seemed more prevalent in this study than reported elsewhere. Siamese cats in the study population may have had a genetic predisposition to lymphosarcoma. Limited evidence suggested feline leukaemia virus may be less important, and feline immunodeficiency virus more important, in the local population than indicated in overseas reports. Additional studies are needed to investigate breed predisposition and feline leukaemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus status in Australian cats with lymphosarcoma.
Court
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EA
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Sydney, New South Wales.
Watson
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Peaston
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D017677:Age Distribution; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000097:blood; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D002415:Cats; D004067:Digestive System Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016181:Feline Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D016089:Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D005256:Leukemia Virus, Feline / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D016582:Leukemia, Feline / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral