Advancements in Feline Oncology: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management of Domestic Cat Cancers

Feline oncology is an area of growing interest in veterinary medicine due to the increase in the population of domestic cats, the high incidence of cancer, and the associated morbidity and mortality. The domestic cat has a number of peculiarities that result in variations in epidemiology, biological behavior, clinical presentation, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Lymphoma represents the most frequent neoplasm in this species; however, two distinct profiles can be identified: older cats with non-reagent results for FeLV and younger cats, aged 2-4 years, with persistent viremia for FeLV. Skin neoplasms and mammary neoplasms occupy the next two positions in the epidemiology of cancer in cats. Unlike what is seen in dogs, no breed predisposition is observed, except for lymphomas and mammary neoplasms in the Siamese breed. Squamous cell carcinomas, particularly frequent in cats exposed to ultraviolet radiation, occur mainly in white and short-haired cats, with greater occurrence on the face, including the ear pinna, pre-auricular region, eyelids, and nasal plane. Currently, palliative care is initiated at the diagnosis of the disease to alleviate pain and local and systemic clinical signs of cancer and modulated accordingly to the course of the disease. Great advances have been achieved in the surgical treatment of neoplasms in the domestic cat due to the better planning obtained in advanced imaging exams, but also to the improvement of reconstructive surgery techniques, video surgery, and transoperative biopsy. Still, in the local control approaches, radiotherapy stands out, with more than 50 years of use in feline oncology. However, access to radiotherapy is still very limited in underdeveloped countries, where emerging local control approaches are gaining ground, such as electrochemotherapy, with robust response rates in squamous cell carcinomas and other external neoplasms. Although more sensitive to stress and manipulation, cats are more resistant to the adverse effects of chemotherapy, which is widely performed. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors, initially targeted and licensed only for the canine species, are already being used in felines in the treatment of a variety of cancers, especially mast cell tumors, one of the most frequent skin neoplasms in the domestic cat. Greater knowledge about the molecular aspects of cancer will further expand the possibilities of prognostic evaluation and treatment in these patients, improving the quality of life, while extending the disease-free interval and survival.

This research topic aims to present new relevant research in veterinary oncology, concerning the domestic cat. We welcome Original Research, Reviews, and Case Reports that address the unique challenges and advancements in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of feline cancers. Specific questions that need to be answered include the efficacy of emerging treatments, the genetic and molecular underpinnings of feline cancers, and the development of new diagnostic tools and protocols. Hypotheses to be tested may involve the comparative effectiveness of different therapeutic approaches and the identification of potential biomarkers for early detection and prognosis.

To gather further insights into the complexities of feline oncology, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Epidemiology and risk factors of feline cancers
- Advances in diagnostic imaging and biopsy techniques
- Surgical innovations and outcomes in feline oncology
- Efficacy and accessibility of radiotherapy and electrochemotherapy
- Chemotherapy protocols and their side effects in cats
- Use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and other targeted therapies
- Molecular and genetic research in feline cancer
- Palliative care and quality of life improvements for feline cancer patients
- Case studies and clinical trials in feline oncology