SURGICAL-TREATMENT OF THYMOMA IN CATS - 12 CASES (1987-1992)

Twelve cats with thymoma were treated by surgical excision of the tumo r alone. None of the cats received radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Two c ats died or were euthanatized during the immediate postoperative perio d: 1 because of postsurgical hemorrhage, and the other because of an a ssociated fungal pleuritis. None of the remaining 10 cats developed ev idence of local tumor recurrence or metastases. Six of the cats were a live after follow-up periods ranging from 6 to 36 months (mean, 21 mon ths; median, 21 months). Three cats were euthanatized 18 months, 32 mo nths, and 45 months following surgery for unrelated problems, and 1 ca t died as a result of trauma sustained 62 months postoperatively. Myas thenia gravis developed postoperatively in 2 of the cats.