Large Cell Intestinal Lymphoma

[Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey]

Hi.

I have a friend whose kitty was just diagnosed with large cell intestinal lymphoma. My cat, Harvey, has small cell, so I'm not sure my experience will be useful to share with her. Has anyone here had experience with large cell? I'd appreciate any advice/info you can give me to pass on to her. The kitty is not diabetic, is 16 and was otherwise in good health. She is not eating at the moment and my friend has an appointment with an oncologist on Thursday for further evaluation. I've already told her to ask about Cypro or Mirtz and Pred for now.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

I recommend they join this Yahoo group
https://beta.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/feline_lymphoma/info
There is a Dr Jory Olsen that frequents that group. I only have experience with small-cell intestinal lymphoma.

 

[Linda and Bear Man]

I'm sorry that your friend's kitty has received this diagnosis. Good to hear that she is going to be consulting an oncologist.

My understanding is that large cell feline lymphoma is a more aggressive form of cancer than small cell lymphoma is. Treatment is likely to consist of an IV chemotherapy protocol. This tends to frighten owners, so perhaps you can reassure your friend that cats do quite well with chemotherapy and do not suffer side effects like nausea or hair loss as humans do. Other concerns on the part of owners relate to expense of treatment and working out the logistics of what might be weekly treatments at the vet under sedation. If your friend is willing to at least start the treatments with her cat, she will get a feel for whether the protocol will be tolerable for the kitty and for the family, and also if the cat will respond to treatment or not. An early good response is a good prognosticator for longer term survival.

I have one link to post for you:
http://www.thecvc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/CVCVB_2016_oncology.pdf

It's technical as it is written by a veterinarian to summarize her presentation at a veterinary conference. Scroll down to the second article about feline lymphoma, and under "Which treatment?" see the section on intermediate and high grade EATL/I (EATL = Enteropathy Associated T-Cell Lymphoma).

Off topic, but of interest, is the paragraph on vomiting in cats and how it is often explained away as hairballs or "normal". Vomiting in cats is not normal, and I wish that message would get out there more.

 

[Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey]

Thank you, @Larry and Kitties and @Linda and Bear Man. Had already given her the link to the yahoo group. Linda, I passed your info along to her, too. Very good stuff there. I appreciate it!