Transitional cell carcinoma in the domestic cat.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Oncology
• Feline Pathology

Background:

• Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is a significant diagnosis in veterinary oncology.
• Understanding the primary sites and metastatic potential of TCC in cats is crucial for prognosis and treatment.
• Previous reports on feline TCC exist, but further characterization is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the characteristics of transitional cell carcinoma in a cohort of feline cases.
• To identify the most common primary sites and the incidence of metastasis.
• To classify the observed TCCs according to established World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 17 feline cases diagnosed with transitional cell carcinoma.
• Examination of case files from the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine.
• Histopathological classification based on WHO criteria, including assessment of invasiveness and desmoplastic response.

Main Results:

• The urinary bladder was the most frequent primary site for TCC in cats.
• Metastasis was observed in 5 out of the 17 cases.
• Eight additional cases exhibited high invasiveness and a desmoplastic response, classified under WHO guidelines as nonpapillary, infiltrating; papillary, infiltrating; and variants.

Conclusions:

• Urinary bladder TCC is a primary concern in feline oncology.
• The invasive nature and metastatic potential of feline TCC highlight the need for early detection and aggressive management.
• Consistent classification using WHO guidelines aids in standardizing the understanding and reporting of feline TCC.