Chemotherapy options for lymphoma in a cat

RE: Chemotherapy options for lymphoma in a cat

Thomas Johnson — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 14:50:45 GMT

Unfortunately she had deteriorated further and was euthanased this morning.

RE: Chemotherapy options for lymphoma in a cat

Rob Loxley — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 15:22:57 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]Currently have a cat in remission for 18 months on just preds and cyclophosphamide and on the advice of Gerry am continuing indefinitely[/quote]

Some evidence in dogs with lymphoma seems to be moving towards discontinuous chemo e.g. the paper in last week's vet record https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28100766
I'd be interested if there's any similar work in cats; I've two lymphoma cases in complete remission that are off any treatment (were on COP) and just come for monitoring.

RE: Chemotherapy options for lymphoma in a cat

Martin Atkinson — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 11:07:27 GMT

[quote user="Thomas Johnson"]I'm not sure what you mean by 'didn't work first time round', I would say that 6 years tumour free is a pretty good success,[/quote]OK I did a 'man-look' and didn't spot the dates. I've found with cats they either do great or not at all. Currently have a cat in remission for 18 months on just preds and cyclophosphamide and on the advice of Gerry am continuing indefinitely. As you say most likely a different tumour.

RE: Chemotherapy options for lymphoma in a cat

Thomas Johnson — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 08:18:16 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]

Hopefully Gerry Polton will be along on this soon, if not I'm sure he won't mind you emailing him at gpolton@ndsr.co.uk but my feeling is that it is time to call it a day with this cat - sometimes you have to do what is right. If COP didn't work first time round it's not going to work with a second round and your other options are limited.

[/quote]

I'm not sure what you mean by 'didn't work first time round', I would say that 6 years tumour free is a pretty good success, and I wonder if this is recurrence of the previous lymphoma or a new primary tumour as it's in a different part of the bowel.

RE: Chemotherapy options for lymphoma in a cat

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 12:57:48 GMT

[quote user="Thomas Johnson"] if there is another option with a reasonable chance of success [/quote]

how 'successful' can anything be in a 17 year old cat though? Maybe I'm just being fatalistic though.

RE: Chemotherapy options for lymphoma in a cat

Matt Hilary — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 11:41:41 GMT

Agree that resistance likely present and that ongoing COP is unlikely to be productive. Lymphoma would tend to respond pretty rapidly if likely to do so.

My understanding is that cats generally do not respond to rescue treatment as well as dogs but a quick google search did turn up a few protocols.

RE: Chemotherapy options for lymphoma in a cat

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 08:55:27 GMT

RE: Chemotherapy options for lymphoma in a cat

Thomas Johnson — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 08:34:39 GMT

[quote user="Kate Richardson"]

I am no expert in oncology, and I second Iain Grant as a very helpful resource, and I think you do need a change in protocol ie rescue therapy and the prognosis will be poorer, but I would sincerely question whether it the right thing to do, if current QOL isn't good. Who are you doing this for- the cat or the owner. Personally I thinks it's time to let her go. Sorry

[/quote]

No need to apologise! I discussed with the owner this week that the prognosis is probably poor but that I would find out what options are available. The owner has been very clear that she doesn't want to keep going for the sake of it, if there is another option with a reasonable chance of success she will go for it, but otherwise she will request euthanasia.

RE: Chemotherapy options for lymphoma in a cat

Kate Richardson — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 20:35:20 GMT

RE: Chemotherapy options for lymphoma in a cat

Claire Fisher — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 19:35:37 GMT

If referral isn't an option you could consult with Iain Grant at Chemopet - he gives great, practical advice and will supply drugs if needed. Last time I used them it was £65 for the consult.

My own cat had gastric lymphoma and when COP stopped working Iain recommended lomustine and L-asparaginase as rescue therapy.