Feline paediatric oncology: retrospective assessment of 233 tumours from cats up to one year (1993 to 2008).
OBJECTIVE
To determine which types of tumour occur in cats up to the age of 12 months based on biopsies submitted to Idexx Laboratories, Wetherby, UK.


METHODS
Retrospective review of histopathological diagnoses of tumours in cats up to the age of 12 months from biopsies received between September 1993 and March 2008.


RESULTS
A total of 4196 submissions from cats 12 months old or younger were identified; 233 biopsies (6%) were neoplastic and fulfilled the search criteria. Tumours were categorised as haematopoietic (n=73, 31%), malignant epithelial (n=44; 19%), malignant mesenchymal (n=38; 16%), benign epithelial (n=37; 16%), benign mesenchymal (n=30, 13%) and miscellaneous (n=11; 5%). The most frequent tumours were lymphoma (n=51; 22%), soft-tissue sarcoma (n=34; 15%), mast cell tumour (n=22; 9%) and squamous cell carcinoma (n=16; 7%). The most common tumour site was the skin and soft tissues (41% of tumours). In all, 164 neoplasms (70%) were malignant or had malignant potential.


CONCLUSIONS
These data provide unique epidemiological information on a poorly characterised subgroup of feline cancer patients in the UK.
Schmidt
J M
JM
VRCC, Bramston Way, Laindon, Essex SS15 6TP.
North
S M
SM
Freeman
K P
KP
Ramiro-Ibañez
F
F
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001706:Biopsy / Q000662:veterinary; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology