Transendoscopic laser ablation of an esophageal plasma cell tumor in a cat

A 15-year-old male castrated domestic shorthair cat was presented for acute lethargy, vomiting and hyporexia. Abdominal and thoracic radiographs revealed a caudal thoracic/esophageal soft tissue opacity with concern for an esophageal mass or an esophageal foreign body. Esophagoscopy confirmed the presence of a large, irregular, mid-esophageal mass. Laser ablation using esophagoscopy was utilized to debulk the mass. Approximately 80% of the mass was removed without complication and an esophagostomy feeding tube was placed. The cat was discharged the same day of the procedure. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry staining were consistent with a plasma cell tumor. Recheck esophagoscopy 2 weeks after the procedure revealed no evidence of regrowth and resolved clinical signs in the patient.

Laser ablation of esophageal neoplasms in cats represents a novel, lower cost, minimally invasive, palliative treatment alternative to surgery. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first published report of successful partial laser ablation treatment of a large esophageal plasma cell tumor in a cat.