NONLYMPHOMATOUS HEPATOBILIARY MASSES IN CATS - 41 CASES (1972 TO 1991)

The medical and necropsy records of 41 cats diagnosed with nonlymphoma tous hepatobiliary (NLHB) masses, including neoplasia and cysts, were reviewed. Overall, benign masses (n = 27) were more common than malign ant ones (n = 14). The single most common malignancy was cholangiocell ular carcinoma. The median age at diagnosis was significantly lower (P < .01) for cats with malignant rather than benign disease. Clinical s igns associated with hepatobiliary neoplasia were usually vague and in cluded lethargy, vomiting, and anorexia, often present for at least 2 weeks before presentation. Benign masses were an incidental finding in significantly more (P < .01) of the cases than were malignant masses. Median values for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotran sferase (AST), and total bilirubin were significantly higher (P < .05) in cats with malignant versus benign masses. The prognosis for malign ant disease was poor, with 86% of the cats dying or being euthanatized during hospitalization. Cats with benign disease that underwent explo ratory celiotomy were more likely to recover and warranted a more favo rable prognosis than cats with malignant tumors. Factors associated wi th malignancy included age at presentation, presence of clinical signs at presentation, and specific serum chemistry changes. (C) Copyright 1994 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons