"Liver Tumors in Cats"
TUMOR TIDBITS, A BIWEEKLY VETERINARY ONCOLOGY E-LETTER
Volume 2; Number 19; November 16, 2001.

Editor: Kevin A. Hahn, DVM, PhD, Dipl - ACVIM (Oncology) & Overall Nice Guy!

THIS WEEK'S TUMOR TIDBIT: LIVER TUMORS IN CATS

Common Clinical Signs: Nonspecific lethargy and anorexia; cats often have a 
palpable mass.

Common Histologic Types: Intrahepatic bile duct tumors (more than half are 
benign such as cholangioma); hepatocellular carcinoma is next most common.

Biological Behavior: Most cats >10 years of age; intrahepatic bile duct tumors 
may progress from benign to malignant; benign tumors usually involve a solitary 
lobe; carcinomas often metastasize.

Prognostic Findings: None identified.

Treatment Considerations:
Surgery is the treatment of choice for benign tumors; however, carcinomas are 
usually diffuse making the prognosis is poor. Chemotherapy is rarely considered 
due to the possibility that hepatic dysfunction may be significant and the cat 
cannot metabolize anticancer agents.

WHAT DO WE DO AT GULF COAST?
In our patients, we recommend evaluation of a complete blood count, serum 
biochemistry profile, pre/post prandial bile acids, urinalysis, chest xrays (3 views) 
and abdominal ultrasonographic exam. If the tumor is nodular, confined to one 
lobe, and no other clinical evidence or signs of metastasis are present, surgical 
resection and histologic examination is recommended. If the tumor is benign OR
malginant, we recommend followup use of chlorambucil (Leukeran) chemotherapy 
at 2 mg/m2 every 2-4 days and the use of Hepatosupport (a combination of 
antioxidants and milk thistle, known to prevent fibrosis, cirrhosis, and angiogenesis 
as well as improve biliary clearance) as life long therapy to support/delay/prevent 
additional tumor growth.

If the tumor cannot be removed, biopsy is recommended and palliative chemotherapy 
can be considered.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT LIVER TUMORS IN CATS? Don't hesitate to 
call or email us at Gulf Coast Veterinary Oncology! We can forward additional info 
by email if needed.

ALL THE BEST,
Kevin A. Hahn, DVM, PhD
Diplomate ACVIM (Oncology) & Overall Nice Guy
Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists
1111 West Loop South, Suite 150
Houston, TX 77027
P: 713.693.1166 
F: 713.693.1167
www.gcvs.com 
drhahn@gulfcoastvetspec.com 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Drs. King, Hahn, Harris, Freeman and Turner are available to consult with your 
veterinarian on oncology (cancer) cases, or cases where cancer is suspected 
as the diagnosis.