Types of Medicine for Cats With Breast Cancer
While cats have no genetic relation to humans, many of the advances in human cancer treatment have resulted in advances in the treatment of mammary cancer in cats. Mammary cancer, or "breast cancer," chemotherapy uses a mixture of drugs that are aimed at invading and destroying the cancerous cells in your cat. Mammary cancer can form in both male and female cats, but is far more prevalent in female cats. Knowing a bit more about the drugs used can help you understand the chemotherapy process and work more closely with your vet to see your cat through this difficult time.
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Chemotherapy Overview
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After a mastectomy or lumpectomy, most veterinary surgeons recommend chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a regimen wherein a series of drugs are injected into your cat and which target the cancer cells. They include "antineoplastic" (or fast-cell growth targeting) medications such as mitoxantrone, cytoxan, carboplatin, and adriamycin. Each aims to stop the spread of cancer, but may manifest different side effects which you should watch for.
Mitoxantrone
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Mitoxantrone is an "antineoplastic" drug which targets the fast-replicating cells of growing, aggressive cancers. The objective of mitoxantrone is to slow (or stop) the growth of cancer cells, thus arresting their spread. One of the side effects of this drug is that your cat will become listless and generally not feel well after injection and for a short time afterward. Report any vomiting, mouth sores, or breathing problems to your veterinarian as these may be signs that the dosing is attacking healthy cells inordinately.
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Cytotoxan
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Cytotoxan is the brand name of Cyclophosphamide, and is also an antineoplastic aimed at slowing and stopping the growth and spread of cancerous cells. This medication, however, can be administered in pill form, especially if the cat's cancer or chemotherapy make administration of the injectable-only mitoxantrone difficult. Some side effect include renal damage, so be on the watch for very little urine, dark urine, mouth sores and swelling of the joints.
Carboplatin
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Another antineoplastic, Carboplatin also arrests the growth of cancer cells and also causes some death of cancer cells. This drug can be extremely toxic in high concentration and so is usually administered intravenously in a saline solution. Sometimes painful swelling of the joints, trouble breathing, and black, tarry stools have been reported as side effects so be on the lookout for these as well.
Adriamycin
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The final antineoplastic used in chemotherapy is adriamycin, also called Doxorubicin, and can cause diarrhea, hair loss, and vomiting, but these are common, non-life-threatening side effects. Painful joints, swelling and/or redness at the injection site, and fever (hot paw pads and ears) are signs of an infection and should be dealt with immediately.
Other Drugs and Considerations
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Other drugs may be administered by your veterinarian, with different goals in mind not related to the cancer's treatment but to the overall well-being of your cat. They include pain medications, antihistamines (to reduce swelling), and anti-nausea medication. It is important to note that excessive vomiting in cats is unusual and typically is cause for concern, especially in cats undergoing chemotherapy as this may indicate the medications are interacting poorly with your cat's physiology and may cause your vet to try a different drug.
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