Subcutaneous fluid port-associated soft tissue sarcoma in a cat

A 20-year-old male castrated domestic longhair cat was evaluated for assessment of its chronic kidney disease (CKD) and a non-healing ulcerated mass at the site of a previously placed and subsequently removed GIF tube. The cat had been diagnosed with CKD 10 years prior and two GIF tubes had been placed over a 5-year period, the second of which was associated with secondary infection. Biopsy of the non-healing ulcerated mass was consistent with grade 2 soft tissue sarcoma. At necropsy there was a discrete, serpentine, subcutaneous mass measuring approximately 8 mm in diameter that extended approximately 20 cm along the dorsum to the caudal thorax, following the path of the GIF tube, from the main intrascapular, ulcerated mass where the fluid port injection site was located. This is the first report of a fibrosarcoma arising at the site of a subcutaneous fluid port in a cat. Although the cat's owners were pleased with the 4 years of quality of life provided by this device, this complication should be considered when a decision to place ports for long-term management of disease is made.