Cutaneous lymphoma
David Iain Greig
Patient is a 15yr old FS DSH feline, marmalade-coloured, named Hobbes.
"Unfortunately, these biopsies reveal that the cutaneous mass is a round cell
tumour. The tumour is composed of diffuse sheets of neoplastic round cells
with distinct cell borders, abundant eosiniophilic cytoplasm and
central oval nuclei. Nuclei have fine chromatin and distinct nucleoli.
There is about threefold variation in size amongst cells, and there are an
average five mitotic figures per high power field. The surface of the
tumour is ulcerated and neoplastic infiltrate through the deep cutaneous
muscle, which is often degenerative. There are also multifocal areas of
necrosis throughout the mass. Accumulation of lymphocytes are present
at the margins of the tumour. The tumour is non-encapsulated and exhibits
an infiltrative growth habit.
Based on the appearance of these cells, we suspect this is lymphoma.
Toluidine blue stains are negative, ruling out a mast cell tumour.
Diagnosis: cutaneous lymphoma."
Comments on experiences and/or treatments appreciated.
--D.
Hillary Israeli
David Iain Greig <gr...@ediacara.org> wrote:
*
*Patient is a 15yr old FS DSH feline, marmalade-coloured, named Hobbes.
*
*Diagnosis: cutaneous lymphoma."
Was this a single mass, or were there multiple masses? Where exactly on
the body was the mass or masses? It makes a difference.
The tumor cells extended to the edge of the biopsy specimen. Was this
attempted excisional biopsy (in which case the surgeon needs to go back
and get the rest if at all possible!) or incisional biopsy (in which case
perhaps a second surgery is already planned, or it was deemed not worth
attempting complete excision due to location and or size of the mass)?
In any case, cutaneous lymphosarcoma (aka lymphoma) is treated with a
variety of protocols, so I would suggest consulting with a veterinary
oncologist regarding what specifically would be the best recommendation
for this cat. I think CCNU in particular is "in vogue" right now for this
condition, for what that's worth.
--
Hillary Israeli, VMD
Lafayette Hill/PA/USA/Earth
"Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it is
too dark to read." --Groucho Marx
David Iain Greig
> In <slrnd02fqm...@darwin.ediacara.org>,
> David Iain Greig <gr...@ediacara.org> wrote:
>
> *
> *Patient is a 15yr old FS DSH feline, marmalade-coloured, named Hobbes.
> *
> *Diagnosis: cutaneous lymphoma."
>
> Was this a single mass, or were there multiple masses? Where exactly on
> the body was the mass or masses? It makes a difference.
A single lump on the cat's back, mid abdomen, adjacent to the spine.
> The tumor cells extended to the edge of the biopsy specimen. Was this
> attempted excisional biopsy (in which case the surgeon needs to go back
> and get the rest if at all possible!) or incisional biopsy (in which case
> perhaps a second surgery is already planned, or it was deemed not worth
> attempting complete excision due to location and or size of the mass)?
Surgeon was attempting to remove the entire lump, did not send the whole
thing to the path lab, but only some of it. Will ask.
> In any case, cutaneous lymphosarcoma (aka lymphoma) is treated with a
> variety of protocols, so I would suggest consulting with a veterinary
> oncologist regarding what specifically would be the best recommendation
> for this cat. I think CCNU in particular is "in vogue" right now for this
> condition, for what that's worth.
I had a oncology consult today; based on the age of the cat and the
difficulty I forsee following a proper treatment protocol, I don't think
chemo is in the cards. I travel weekly now and even prednisone would
be a challenge to get a cat sitter to administer 2x/day.
I think at 15 years old, Hobbes will be left to the course of events.
She's eating well and seems happy. If this changes, I will consider
a proper course to ensure she does not suffer. I just can't see the
feasibility of chemo, regardless of expense, which is itself a major
consideration (no pet insurance, she's always been healthy).
Thanks for the advice, I was somewhat in a state.
--D.
Hillary Israeli
David Iain Greig <gr...@ediacara.org> wrote:
*Surgeon was attempting to remove the entire lump, did not send the whole
*thing to the path lab, but only some of it. Will ask.
Ah. If he only sent part of it, then you don't know if tumor cells
extended to the margins of the mass, do you? That would be important to
know for prognostic reasons...
*I had a oncology consult today; based on the age of the cat and the
*difficulty I forsee following a proper treatment protocol, I don't think
*chemo is in the cards. I travel weekly now and even prednisone would
*be a challenge to get a cat sitter to administer 2x/day.
Ah. Well, if you can't do anything, then there's not too much to say,
really, except hope that the surgeon did or can remove the entire mass and
that it doesn't recur or metastasize.
*I think at 15 years old, Hobbes will be left to the course of events.
*She's eating well and seems happy. If this changes, I will consider
That's certainly good news. Best of luck.
David Iain Greig
> In <slrnd05c22...@darwin.ediacara.org>,
> David Iain Greig <gr...@ediacara.org> wrote:
>
> *Surgeon was attempting to remove the entire lump, did not send the whole
> *thing to the path lab, but only some of it. Will ask.
>
> Ah. If he only sent part of it, then you don't know if tumor cells
> extended to the margins of the mass, do you? That would be important to
> know for prognostic reasons...
Spoke to vet; the tumor is infiltrative in nature and she admits she took
everything she could but doubts she got the whole thing, it was extensively
infiltrating the cutanous muscle. Neoplastic cells surrounded the mass,
which was had multifocal necrotic areas and was beginning to ulcerate.
> *I had a oncology consult today; based on the age of the cat and the
> *difficulty I forsee following a proper treatment protocol, I don't think
> *chemo is in the cards. I travel weekly now and even prednisone would
> *be a challenge to get a cat sitter to administer 2x/day.
>
> Ah. Well, if you can't do anything, then there's not too much to say,
> really, except hope that the surgeon did or can remove the entire mass and
> that it doesn't recur or metastasize.
>
> *I think at 15 years old, Hobbes will be left to the course of events.
> *She's eating well and seems happy. If this changes, I will consider
>
> That's certainly good news. Best of luck.
I doubt it's all gone; I will be watching and waiting, and enjoying the
time I have left with her until she no longer enjoys it.
thanks for the advice.
--D.
Hillary Israeli
David Iain Greig <gr...@ediacara.org> wrote:
*Spoke to vet; the tumor is infiltrative in nature and she admits she took
*everything she could but doubts she got the whole thing, it was extensively
*infiltrating the cutanous muscle. Neoplastic cells surrounded the mass,
*which was had multifocal necrotic areas and was beginning to ulcerate.
Oh. That's a bummer.
*I doubt it's all gone; I will be watching and waiting, and enjoying the
*time I have left with her until she no longer enjoys it.
Sounds like a plan to me. Best of luck!
-h.