title: Mammary tumours in the cat: size matters, so early intervention saves lives.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mammary tumours are among the most common neoplasms in both cats and dogs, but the prevalence of malignant histological types is far higher in cats (ratio of malignant:benign is at least 4:1).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The more aggressive nature of mammary neoplasia in cats poses challenges for management. Prognosis is affected by tumour size and, therefore, early recognition and treatment of mammary tumours is paramount. Although the primary tumour can be excised surgically, no studies have shown that chemotherapy significantly extends survival time; hence, metastatic spread remains an important clinical problem.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mammary tumours usually affect older female cats, mainly entire females. Siamese and Oriental breeds may be predisposed. Male cats can develop mammary neoplasia, but this is rare.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review summarises the current literature relating to aetiology, pathology, presentation, diagnosis, staging, treatment and prognosis of feline mammary tumours.
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK. Joanna.Morris@glasgow.ac.uk
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Morris
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D002415:Cats; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D015674:Mammary Neoplasms, Animal / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011379:Prognosis; D012737:Sex Factors; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000379:methods*