What Are the Treatments for Cats With Cancer?
Treating feline cancer can be palliative or curative. Palliative cancer treatments are supportive forms of treatment, while curative cancer treatments are aimed at curing the cancer. Depending on the type of cancer affecting the cat, the owner can work with the veterinarian to determine which treatment is best for the cat.
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Surgery
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Surgery is a curative form of cancer treatment and involves removing tumors and some of the surrounding tissue in an attempt to fully eliminate any abnormal cancer cells. In cats, surgery is often ideal to easily accessible cancers or cancers that were detected early.
Chemotherapy
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A palliative form of feline cancer treatment, chemotherapy is aimed at controlling the cancer but may not fully kill off the cancer cells.
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Hyperthermic Therapy
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Hyperthermia is another form of curative cancer treatment in which the cancer is exposed to heated temperatures up to 113 degrees Fahrenheit, thus killing off the cancer cells.
Immunotherapy
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Another palliative form, immunotherapy is a group of treatments that work to stimulate the feline immune system in hopes of destroying cancer cells or preventing cancer cells from occurring.
Radiation Therapy
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Feline radiation therapy is a curative treatment in which high energy waves damage DNA of cancer cells. By damaging the DNA, the cell is no longer able to multiply, thus killing it off.
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Hélène
