Cytopathology of cutaneous and subcutaneous neoplasms in feline species: a retrospective study

Abstract

It is estimated that a quarter of all feline neoplasms affect the integumentary system. Cytological examination is of admirable importance for detection of neoplasms in companion animals, being considered a simple and non-invasive method. To date, there are limited information regarding the prevalence of feline skin cancer as well as the use of cytopathology as a diagnostic tool. In this sense, the study aimed to characterize cutaneous and subcutaneous tumors in 192 cats from the archives of a private clinic in São Paulo-SP, Brazil, specialized in the care of felines. Data regarding the animal (breed definition, sex, and age group) and tumor characteristics (biological behavior, cytomorphological category of neoplasm, and cytological suggestion for neoplasm) were obtained in a five-year period. A 95% confidence interval (CI) was estimated to verify the statistical difference between the animal and tumor characteristics. The chi-square test was carried out to verify the association between the tumor biological behavior and animal variables, as well as other tumor characteristics. Most cats were mixed breed and aged 11 to 15 years. Malignant tumors were predominant. A statistical association was observed between cytomorphological category of neoplasm and biological behavior (p<0.001). Mesenchymal (24.5%) and epithelial tumors (25%) presented the highest frequency among those benign and malignant, respectively. The cytological suggestion for neoplasm was also statistically associated with biological behavior (p<0.001). The highest percentage of occurrence of benign and malignant tumors consisted of lipomas (22.9%) and sarcomas (19.3%), respectively.