{"id":638731,"date":"2024-08-18T14:16:55","date_gmt":"2024-08-18T18:16:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/?p=638731"},"modified":"2024-08-18T14:16:55","modified_gmt":"2024-08-18T18:16:55","slug":"mast-cell-tumors-in-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/ask-the-vet\/mast-cell-tumors-in-cats\/","title":{"rendered":"Mast Cell Tumors in Cats: Signs, Causes, Care & FAQ (Vet Answer)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n <\/span>\n \nWhat Is a Mast Cell?<\/a>
\nWhat Are Mast Cell Tumors?<\/a>
\nSigns<\/a>
\nCauses<\/a>
\nDiagnosis<\/a>
\nCare Guide<\/a>
\nFAQ<\/a>
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The mast cell tumor (sometimes referred to as a mastocytoma) <\/em>is a relatively common form of feline cancer. These tumors can arise on the skin, in the spleen, or the intestines. While some mast cell tumors are relatively benign, with the possibility of cure, others can be malignant and carry a greater risk of spread throughout the body.<\/p>\n

Hearing the diagnosis of a mast cell tumor can be overwhelming. What caused this to occur? Where do we go from here? What even is <\/em>a mast cell? This article will answer common questions about feline mast cell tumors, exploring signs, causes, treatment options, and more.<\/p>\n

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What Is a Mast Cell?<\/h2>\n

Mast cells play an important role in your cat\u2019s health. They are a type of white blood cell that performs several important immune functions. If a cat is \u201cinvaded\u201d by allergens, parasites, or even venom, mast cells are activated as one of the immune system\u2019s first responders.<\/p>\n

Mast cells release several chemicals in an effort to restore the body to normality. One of these chemicals, which is relatively well known, is histamine. Histamine is the chemical that triggers redness, inflammation, and itching during an allergic reaction or hay fever episode.<\/p>\n

What Are Mast Cell Tumors?<\/h2>\n

Mast cells, just like many other cells in the body, can turn cancerous. When this occurs, the normal and controlled division of mast cells has become de-railed, leading to aggressive and uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal cells.<\/p>\n

In cats, mast cell tumors can arise in three parts of the body:<\/div>
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