Osteosarcoma in Cats

What is an osteosarcoma?

Osteosarcoma is the most common malignant bone tumor diagnosed in veterinary practice. It is considered similar to pediatric osteosarcoma in humans, a bone cancer that usually develops during the period of rapid growth that occurs in adolescence, as a teenager matures into an adult. Osteosarcoma is considered a rare cancer in cats.

What are the clinical signs of osteosarcoma?

The symptoms of osteosarcoma are related to the bone or bones involved. The usual symptom is intermittent lameness in a forelimb or hindlimb without any known trauma or injury. There may be a painful area over a long bone or the owner or veterinarian may notice a hard swelling. The four most common sites for osteosarcoma are the distal radius, proximal humerus, distal femur, and proximal tibia. Osteosarcoma in cats may also occur in non-weight bearing bones such as the skull and nasal bones.

Are some cats more likely to get bone cancer?

Osteosarcoma should be considered in any cat that suddenly develops lameness without an obvious cause. While osteosarcoma is rare in cats, it should be ruled-out as part of a thorough diagnostic evaluation for sudden-onset inexplicable lameness or limping.

How is osteosarcoma diagnosed?

The key diagnostic tests for osteosarcoma are radiographs and histopathology. Radiographs of osteosarcoma have a typical lytic or "moth-eaten" appearance. If a suspicious area is observed, either a fine-needle aspirate or a bone biopsy of the lesion needs to be performed to make a final diagnosis. Care must be taken when performing bone biopsies due to the increased risk of bone fracture of the weakened and cancerous bone. Although the incidence of biopsy-induced fracture is low, many cats become lamer and more painful immediately following bone biopsy procedures. For these reasons, some veterinary oncologists prefer to obtain diagnostic samples with fine-needle aspirates using an 18-gauge hypodermic needle.

How is osteosarcoma treated?

Treatment of osteosarcoma should be based both on the patient's condition at the time of diagnosis and the wishes of the owner. This results in an overall less favorable prognosis than for a malignant tumor that is not highly metastatic. Traditional treatments for osteosarcoma include amputation of the affected limb to address local pain issues, followed by systemic chemotherapy for the treatment of distant metastasis.

"...it is vital that systemic chemotherapy is started immediately..."

My cat seems to be in pain. What can be done to relieve it?

Osteosarcoma is a painful cancer. Pain medications will be used but are not a replacement for amputation and chemotherapy. Most patients will require a combination of medications to control their pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), tramadol, amantadine, and fentanyl are commonly used to combat the debilitating pain associated with osteosarcoma.

What is the prognosis for osteosarcoma?

The prognosis is based on the severity of the disease and the extent of metastasis. Overall, a guarded to poor prognosis is warranted until the results of all diagnostic tests are completed and the response to initial treatment has been assessed. Your veterinarian will guide you through the decision-making process of how to best care for your pet's condition.