Proliferative oral growths in a cat

RE: Proliferative oral growths in a cat

Melanie Illingworth — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 15:55:29 GMT

I'm glad it wasn't just me that was a bit stumped by the histo! I think I'll start another thread for a wider audience.

RE: Proliferative oral growths in a cat

Thomas Johnson — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 15:31:49 GMT

[quote user="Melanie Illingworth"]

This isn't really what I was expecting. I saw the cat back for a post-op check and the surgical sites are healing fine.

The only other information I could seem to find regarding sarcoids and papillomavirus all seemed to describe skin lesions, not lesions affecting the mucous membranes of the oral cavity. I have asked our visiting oncologist for help but at the moment I'm inclined to keep a regular eye on the cat to check for regrowth.

Does anyone have any other ideas/experience of anything similar?

[/quote]

Thank you for the update on the case, but I'm afraid I don't have any experience of sarcoids in cats! Careful monitoring does seems like the best idea at the moment.

RE: Proliferative oral growths in a cat

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 13:02:06 GMT

[quote user="Melanie Illingworth"] The neoplastic cells extend close to the epithelium and the features are most compatible with a sarcoid. In cats sarcoids have occasionally been reported to occur in the oral cavity.[/quote]

Crikey. I've learned something.

[quote user="Melanie Illingworth"]I'm inclined to keep a regular eye on the cat to check for regrowth.[/quote]

Seems a good course of action.

RE: Proliferative oral growths in a cat

Melanie Illingworth — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 11:03:52 GMT

OK Evelyn, I suppose I asked for that...

Martin and Thomas - thanks for your replies.

The histo results are as follows (I sent 3 samples but the lab could only seem to find 2...):

"The histological features within both of the submitted samples are similar. There is a spindle cell proliferation, which is poorly organised but exhibits a low mitotic index. The neoplastic cells extend close to the epithelium and the features are most compatible with a sarcoid. In cats sarcoids have occasionally been reported to occur in the oral cavity. Other types of low grade soft tissue sarcoma, such as fibrosarcoma, are the main potential differential diagnosis. This tumour would be expected to exhibit locally infiltrative growth with potential for recurrence following incomplete excision. Metastasis from this site would not be expected. Given the history of chronic gingiva-stomatitis. I considered the possibility of reactive fibrous granulation tissue. However the poor organisation of the spindle cells would not be typical for granulation tissue. As sarcoids have been associated with papillomavirus infection this could account for the presence of multiple lesions in this cat. I have shared this case with two of my colleagues who agree with this interpretation of this case."

This isn't really what I was expecting. I saw the cat back for a post-op check and the surgical sites are healing fine.

Does anyone have any other ideas/experience of anything similar?

RE: Proliferative oral growths in a cat

Thomas Johnson — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 09:22:44 GMT

[quote user="Melanie Illingworth"]

So, can cats develop epuli? I was concerned re the possibility of malignant transformation/SCC and I'm hoping the histo report will shed some light. Has anyone else seen anything similar?

[/quote]

It's not exactly the same presentation, but you may find this thread I started last month useful:

http://www.vetsurgeon.org/uk/small_animal/f/167/t/23451.aspx

RE: Proliferative oral growths in a cat

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 09:19:23 GMT

I agree with Evelyn and sometimes these 'masses' can be quite dramatic and recurrent even if resected. If they're multi-site they are unlikely to SCCs but you were wise to biopsy for peace of mind. You may like to add in some oral Virbagen Omega to your ongoing medication (let me know if you need the recipe) although its not a panacea, and steriods may be more effective than NSAIDs if you get desperate. I think it is important that the client understands this is not curable and that is will require long-term management and the loss of all the teeth.

RE: Proliferative oral growths in a cat

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 22:33:04 GMT

[quote user="Melanie Illingworth"]So, can cats develop epuli?[/quote]

Since "epulis" means no more than "lump on the gum", plainly they can.......

Sorry, that was probably a bit horrid,but I couldn't resist making a point.

Anyway, the answer to your question is yes, and the histopathology report is usually "inflammatory" or "hyperplastic".... but sometimes it isn't.......