A biopsy is an analysis that should be performed on tumor tissues that are suspected to be malignant; a biopsy can indicate feline cancer or a benign tumor. There are several types of biopsy procedures available and will be used depending on the location of the tumor. Most biopsy procedures are invasive and will require anesthesia. Biopsies may also be performed after the removal of a tumor, to determine if all cancerous cells have been removed.
Types of Biopsies
Biopsies may be incisional, when only a small sample of tissue is needed for testing or excisional biopsy, when the entire tumor is removed and tested. The vet will establish which type is more suitable, judging by the general state of the cat and the symptoms or the location of the tumor.
Biopsy Procedures
The biopsy procedure may be performed in different ways; the choice of the most suitable procedure is dictated by the location of the tumor.
If the tumor is located in the abdominal cavity, the vet will opt for an exploratory abdominal surgery, which will allow the vet to get several samples of tumor tissues in a single procedure.
Endoscopy is a procedure that employs a fiberoptic scope that will guide the vet to the location of the tumor. No surgical incision is necessary and no anesthesia either. This procedure is used to biopsy tumors located in the nose, stomach, intestines or the colon of the cat.
Skin biopsies will be performed using needles or surgical instruments to get a tissue sample from the skin tumor.
If the cat has a bone tumor or a bone marrow tumor, the biopsy will be performed using needles.
The biopsy results should be ready within a week. The tissue sample will be analyzed under the microscope. If cancerous cells are present, the tumor should be removed along with a few inches of the neighboring skin to ensure that all the cancerous cells are gone.
If the tumor is benign, the cells don’t need to be removed, unless they cause discomfort for the cat. Benign tumors don’t tend to grow and will not harm the cat.
Care for the Cat after Biopsy
After the biopsy the cat should get some rest, as the procedure may be traumatizing.
The cat should also avoid strenuous activities, to allow the incision wound to heal.
If the cat bites, licks and chews the incision wound, this should be bandaged or in extreme cases, a lamp shade collar will be recommended. Saliva carries bacteria that can infect the wound and the cat may also open the incision with his teeth.
The results of the biopsy will help the vet determine the type of tumor and decide on the therapy that is the most suitable for your cat. The vet may also require other blood tests or radiographs to get a clearer image on the cat’s condition.