Treatment outcomes and prognostic factors of feline splenic mast cell tumors: A multi-institutional retrospective study of 64 cases.
BACKGROUND
Mast cell tumors (MCT) are common splenic tumors in cats, but there is limited information on treatment outcomes of cats with this disease.


METHODS
This retrospective study evaluated treatment outcomes in 64 cats with splenic MCT. Cats were categorized into the following treatment groups: splenectomy (A, n = 20); splenectomy with chemotherapy (B, n = 20); chemotherapy alone (C, n = 15); or supportive care (D, n = 9).


RESULTS
Median tumor specific survival (MTSS) was: 856, 853, 244, 365 days for groups A, B, C, and D, respectively. The MTSS was not significantly different between the 4 groups. However, comparing cats that had splenectomy (A and B) versus those that did not (C and D), the MTSS was 856 and 342 days, respectively (p=0.008). None of the prognostic factors analyzed significantly influenced survival.


CONCLUSIONS
Splenectomy (+/- chemotherapy) significantly prolongs survival in cats with mast cell tumors. The role of chemotherapy remains unknown.
College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina.
B J
BJ
Evans
Vista Veterinary Specialists, Sacramento, California.
D
D
O'Brien
Veterinary Specialists of North Texas, Dallas, Texas.
S D
SD
Allstadt
Antech Veterinary Services, Irvine, California.
T P
TP
Gregor
School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
K U
KU
Sorenmo
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D002415:Cats; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008415:Mastocytosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000662:veterinary; D013160:Splenic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
feline; mast cell tumor; mastocytosis; spleen; splenic mast cell tumor