PRIMARY LUNG-TUMORS IN CATS - 86 CASES (1979-1994)

Objective-To classify histologic type and morphology of primary lung t umors in cats, to describe clinical findings in these cats, and to det ermine whether clinical findings were associated with histologic type or morphology. Design-Retrospective study. Animals-86 cats with histol ogically confirmed primary lung tumors. Procedure-Medical records for cats treated between 1979 and 1994 at any of 14 participating veterina ry referral hospitals were reviewed. Results-Weight loss, lethargy, an d dyspnea were the most common clinical signs. Solitary or multiple pu lmonary masses were seen on radiographs from 53 of 79 cats; effusion w as seen on radiographs from the other 26. in 45 cats, tumors involved a single lung lobe. Caudal lung lobes were more commonly affected than were cranial lung lobes. Sixty-five cats had metastases. Tumors were classified as bronchial (n = 65), bronchiolar-alveolar (9), or other ( 12) and as poorly differentiated (59), moderately differentiated (20), or well differentiated (7). Breed, age, sex, weight, clinical signs, duration of clinical signs, and radiographic findings were not associa ted with histologic type or morphology.Clinical Implications-To identi fy possible occult primary lung tumors, thoracic radiography should be performed on cats with clinical signs of long duration, including wei ght loss, lethargy, and dyspnea.