What is the pancreas and what does it do?
The pancreas is an organ that has two main functions: endocrine and exocrine. The endocrine system produces insulin and the hormone glucagon, which regulate blood sugar levels. The exocrine system produces enzymes that are essential for the digestion of complex dietary components such as proteins, triglycerides, and complex carbohydrates. The exocrine system also secretes large amounts of bicarbonate, which buffers stomach acid.
Most tumors found in the pancreas are because cancer elsewhere in the body has spread. If your cat gets diagnosed with any type of problem in their pancreas, it can become a serious and even fatal situation quickly as your cat is no longer able to digest properly.
What are the types of pancreatic cancer in cats?
There are two groups of pancreatic tumors: exocrine tumors, that originate from exocrine cells, and endocrine tumors, that originate from endocrine cells. Of the exocrine tumors, there are two types: benign adenomas (non-cancerous) and malignant adenocarcinomas (cancerous). Adenocarcinomas are much more common than adenomas, but both are rare in cats.
When it comes to endocrine tumors, there are three types: insulinomas, gastrinomas, and glucagonomas. All three are malignant. The most common is the insulinoma, followed by the gastrinoma and the glucagonoma These tumors are also rare in cats.
What causes pancreatic cancer in cats?
While the actual cause is unknown, pancreatic cancer is more common in senior cats than in younger cats, so it is believed to be related to aging.
Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer in Cats
If your cat is displaying any of the symptoms below, it’s time to head to your vet. Even if they don’t ultimately have pancreatic cancer, these are all worrying signs and it’s best to get to the bottom of it before it’s too late.
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Bone or skeletal pain
- Labored breathing
- Hair loss
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
Diagnosing Pancreatic Cancer in Cats
Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer in cats is difficult to diagnose. Veterinarians will use a multitude of diagnostic testing and imaging to confirm a diagnosis of any kind of cancer in cats. First, they’ll start with bloodwork, which can detect changes in blood sugar and insulin. Then they may perform either an ultrasound or an X-ray to get a better look at the pancreas, depending what the kind of imaging the vet wants. A urinalysis will also be completed. But the best way to diagnose pancreatic cancer is with a tissue biopsy. During this, the vet will surgically take a piece of the tumor or diseased area of the pancreas and examine it under a microscope to see if they can find cancer cells.
Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer in Cats
If your veterinarian chooses to perform exploratory surgery, they will likely remove part or all of your cat's pancreas. If the cancer has not metastasized and spread, the chance of uncomplicated recovery is good.
However, if the cat's cancer has spread, your veterinarian may attempt to cut the tumors out, but the success rate of this surgery is low. Unfortunately, there has been little success using radiation therapy or chemotherapy to treat pancreatic cancer in cats.
Prognosis for Cats with Pancreatic Cancer
While malignant tumors in cat’s pancreas are rare, they do happen. If that’s the case with your furry friend, their prognosis isn’t great, and it may be time to have some difficult conversations with your veterinarian.
But if the cancer has not spread and the veterinarian is able to surgically remove it all, there’s no reason your cat shouldn’t continue to have a long and healthy life.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.