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Oh, Hon, I'm so sorry to hear about your little Trixie. I know you're just totally devastated.

Feline lymphoma is a fairly common cancer of cats. In the past it was closely linked to infection with FeLV but, with a decrease in the incidence of feline leukemia, more cats with lymphoma are FeLV negative. Feline lymphoma can strike a variety of different organs but always involves a proliferation of lymphoid cells. About 70% of infected cats respond favorably to chemotherapy treatment and a fair number can see an increased life span of two years or more.

Here is a link on my site regarding lymphomas in cats:

http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/lymphoma.html

Please note this statement taken from that page: When a trained pathologist examines a fine needle aspirate or a biopsy, he or she is looking for a uniform population of immature lymphoid cells, which confirms feline lymphoma. So, until this takes place, please don't dwell on lymphoma at this time. I know it will be hard since this possibility has been brought up, but try to wait until Thursday's results.

An actual mass can potentially cause obstruction in the intestine and lead to a crisis that must be promptly resolved surgically.

Diagnosis of intestinal lymphoma is best made by biopsy and if a mass is present, it can be surgically removed at the time biopsies are taken. Alternatively, the mass can be aspirated (cells removed via syringe) and the cells analyzed in the lab. This may not be as definitive as biopsy but is often adequate; surgery, of course, enables the removal of the growth (if there is one) and relieves the obstruction.

It is important to understand that no matter how localized the tumor appears to be, simply removing the mass is not going to be curative; some kind of chemotherapy is necessary for best chance at long term survival. I highly recommend this site:

http://felinelymphomacaregivers.org/

They state on the front door of their site that "Our Mission is to help people who's [sic] cats have feline lymphoma [cancer], with support, information, tried treatments that may or may not be standards used by today's vets. We want to give the whole picture as far as traditional treatment options and the holistic approach to cancer. A lot of this information is provided by people who have been, or are still going through cancer treatment with their felines."

I have only experienced lymphoma of the stomach with one cat, my little KC. Unfortunately, the symptoms didn't rear their ugly heads until he had a freak accident outside in our backyard with us. By then, the sudden trauma had triggered the lurking cancer and it rapidly spread into his lungs and stomach, leaving us with no hope.

I'm so sorry for the heartache you're going through, but please don't give up until your regular vet has thoroughly examined her and given his diagnosis. I've had too many interns be flat wrong.

Please keep us posted on Thursday's vet visit. I'm anxious to hear what your vet has to say. Scritches to your sweet little girl and hugs to you.

Lymphosarcoma is very responsive to chemotherapy and up 60% of treated cats will go into remission. The definition of remission is the complete disappearance of detectable cancer. However, microscopic amounts of tumor cells can remain hidden in the body. A remission is NOT a cure but it does allow your pet to experience a good quality of life. Because of this, chemotherapy should not be discontinued when a remission is obtained. The length of the remission depends upon many factors including the primary site, how sick an animal is at the start of treatment and the extent of disease. In most situations, the average remission and survival times are between 6-8 months.

The exact drugs and schedule will depend upon how aggressive the cancer is behaving, how sick an animal is at the start of treatment and any abnormalities in organ function (especially important are changes in kidney and liver function). On a typical schedule, your cat will receive weekly treatments for the first 4-6 months. Several different drugs (L-asparaginase, vincristine, Cytoxan, methotrexate) are alternated (or combined in some cases) in order to reduce the chance that tumor cells will become resistant and to reduce the risk of side effects. Some of the drugs are given by injection and some are given orally (this can be done at home). Oral prednisone is also included in the treatment plan. Bloodwork and/or x-rays/ultrasound are generally repeated at regular intervals to look for side effects (such as a low white blood cell count) and to determine if an animal is in remission.

If your cat remains in remission for 4-6 months, the interval between treatments is lengthened to every two weeks. After one year, treatments are given every three weeks for an additional 6 months. If a patient is still in remission at 1 1/2 years, treatment is discontinued. Only 10-15% of cats will ever reach the point where we can consider discontinuing treatment.

If a patient comes out of remission, we can try to put them back into remission using either new combinations of the same drugs or different drugs. Unfortunately, the chances of obtaining a second remission are lower and the risk of side effects may be higher. However, there are some cats that do respond and have additional time with a good quality of life.

Most cats tolerate their chemotherapy well and have minimal side effects. Serious side effects are only seen in 5-10% of the patients treated. If they are serious or intolerable, we can consider either lowering the dose of the offending drug or substituting a different drug. Side effects include nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite, diarrhea, extreme tiredness or infection. Cats do not lose their hair but may lose their whiskers and have a different texture to their fur.