Renal (Kidney) Neoplasia in Cats

Overview of Feline Kidney Cancer

Renal neoplasia is cancer located in the kidney. Renal neoplasia can originate in the kidney (primary) or spread or metastasize to the kidney from another site (secondary).
Most renal tumors are seen in middle aged to older dogs and cats. Nephroblastomas, rapidly developing malignant tumors, are seen in younger animals. Carcinomas are thought to be more prevalent in the male dog. About 50 percent of cats with renal lymphoma are feline leukemia virus positive.

Generally, there are no specific causes of cancer identified and cancer of the kidney is rare in dogs and cats.

What to Watch For

Early in the illness, many individuals do not show any clinical signs. However, later signs include:

• Weight loss
• Depression
• Inappetence
• Lethargy
• Blood in the urine
• Abdominal distension
• Anemia
• Excessive drinking and urinating

Diagnosis of Kidney Neoplasia in Cats

• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Biochemical profile
• Urinalysis
• Urine culture and sensitivity
• Abdominal X-rays
• Chest X-rays
• Abdominal ultrasound
• Intravenous pyelogram
• Abdominal exploratory and biopsy

Treatment of Kidney Cancer in Cats

• Hospitalization and support as needed, including fluid therapy and blood transfusions
• Nephrectomy, or the surgical removal of the kidney and associated tumor, if it occurs in only one kidney
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy

Home Care and Prevention

Administer medication and diet as directed by your veterinarian. Return for follow-up as directed.

Prognosis varies depending on the tumor type and ability to surgically remove the tumor. There is no known prevention of renal cancer.

In-depth Information on Renal (Kidney) Neoplasia in Cats

Primary renal neoplasia, or cancer that originates in the kidney, is rare in the dog and cat, accounting for less than 2.5 percent of all tumors. The most common tumors in dogs in descending order are renal carcinoma, transitional cell carcinoma, renal adenoma, sarcoma, nephroblastoma, lymphoma and fibroma. The majority of tumors seen are malignant, and metastatic tumors that spread from another place are more common than primary tumors. There are a host of possible presentations associated with renal tumors.

Individuals may have no clinical signs early in the disease process. The classic triad of physical findings in cats and dogs with renal tumors includes abdominal mass, weight loss, and in a subset of cases, blood in the urine (hematuria), although abdominal and/or back pain is not uncommon. Anemia (low red blood cell count) and renal failure (azotemia) are not uncommonly found in these patients, especially when both kidneys are involved. Depending on the specific case, specific diagnostics and therapeutics would be recommended and tailored to the individual.

Several diseases and disorders have similar symptoms to renal neoplasia. These include:

• Pyelonephritis, or an infection of the kidney
• Hydronephrosis, which is the enlargement of the pelvis of the kidney with urine, as a result of obstruction of the ureter – the tiny tubular structure that allows the passage of urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder
• Renal hematomas or blood clots secondary to trauma
• Ethylene glycol toxicosis after ingestion of antifreeze that causes bilateral kidney enlargement (renomegaly) due to the formation of calcium oxalate crystals, which are particles that form in the kidneys from antifreeze
• Leptospirosis, an infectious disorder that causes bilateral renomegaly and renal failure in dogs
• Urolithiasis (stones) anywhere throughout the urinary tract, especially in the kidney
• Chronic renal failure associated with or as a result of renal neoplasia
• Renal abscesses, or localized pockets of pus within the kidney, that usually cause unilateral renomegaly in cats and dogs.
• Perirenal pseudocysts, the accumulation of fluid between the kidney and its surrounding capsule.
• Glomerulonephritis, which is an inflammation of the glomeruli of the kidney
• Amyloidosis, which is the deposition or collection of a type of protein in organs and tissues that compromises normal function
• Other abdominal masses in the pancreas, ovaries, liver or adrenal glands that can cause abdominal distension and similar signs
• Other causes of abdominal discomfort, including pancreatitis and peritonitis, which is inflammation of the abdominal cavity
• Disorders associated with back pain such as intervertebral disc protrusion or a spinal infection or tumor
• Disorders that cause excessive thirst and urination to include hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s disease), diabetes mellitus and liver disease
• Coagulopathies, or clotting disorders, such as thrombocytopenia (decreased platelet count) or warfarin toxicity (rat poison), that cause bloody urination
• Polycythemia is a disorder that causes the red blood cell count to rise. It can be a primary or secondary disorder, and is occasionally seen associated with some renal tumors.

Diagnosis In-depth

Certain diagnostic tests must be performed to make a definitive diagnosis of renal neoplasia and exclude other disease processes that may cause similar symptoms. Ultimately, microscopic examination of both cells and tissue is necessary to confirm a diagnosis of renal neoplasia, and to document the tumor type. A complete history, description of clinical signs, and thorough physical examination are all an important part of obtaining a diagnosis of renal neoplasia. In addition, the following tests are recommended:

• A complete blood count (CBC) may be within normal limits, however may reveal anemia (low red blood cell count), polycythemia (elevated red blood cell count) and/or an elevated white blood cell count.
• A biochemical profile may be within normal limits, but it may reveal elevations in kidney enzymes or electrolyte abnormalities.
• A urinalysis may be normal or reveal blood in the urine, white blood cells in the urine, protein in the urine, and bacteria in the urine. Infrequently, neoplastic cells may be seen in the urinalysis.
• A bacterial urine culture is performed to assess for the presence of urinary tract infections, which are generally present in one-third of patients with renal tumors.
• Abdominal radiographs (X-rays) may be helpful in evaluating for renal tumors; however, if they are within normal limits, that does not rule out the possibility of a tumor.
• Chest X-rays should be obtained on these patients, as many renal tumors are malignant and can metastasize or spread to the chest.
• Abdominal ultrasound is helpful in evaluating the kidney and confirming the presence of a tumor. It is also helpful in evaluating the other kidney, lymph nodes and other abdominal organs for evidence of metastasis. With the guidance of ultrasound, it is often possible to obtain a sample of the tumor via aspirate or biopsy. Ultrasound is often considered the diagnostic tool of choice. The ultrasound itself is a noninvasive procedure, although sampling of the tumor tissue will often necessitate sedation or general anesthesia, and is associated with some minor risks. These procedures generally necessitate the expertise of a specialist or referral hospital.

Your veterinarian may recommend additional tests to exclude or diagnose other existing conditions. These tests are not necessary in every case, but they may be of benefit in certain individuals and are selected on a case-by-case basis. These include:

• Excretory urography. An intravenous dye study “lights up” the upper urinary tract, consisting of the kidneys and ureters. It is very helpful in confirming that a mass originates in the kidney and also provides a rough estimate of renal function in the other kidney. The procedure is not recommended if there is significant renal failure, as it may be dangerous to the patient. This procedure usually requires anesthesia, and may necessitate referral.
• Abdominal computed tomography (CT) is helpful in ruling out abdominal metastasis. This procedure necessitates general anesthesia and referral to an institution capable of performing it.

Treatment In-depth

Animals with renal tumors are best treated with surgery if the tumor has not metastasized and is unilateral. Specific therapy depends on the patient, tumor type, kidney involvement and associated clinical signs. Recommendations by your veterinarian should be followed very closely, and any questions or concerns that arise during the treatment protocol should be addressed immediately. Depending on the patient, recommended treatment options may vary.

• Fluid therapy is indicated in those patients who are dehydrated, have severe infections or concurrent kidney failure.
• Surgical removal of the tumor usually necessitates removal of the kidney (nephrectomy). The function of the other kidney should always be confirmed prior to removing the affected kidney. Excretory urography generally is the best means of evaluating kidney function. In some cases, such as in cases of nephroblastomas that are detected early, surgery may be curable. In others, surgery may prolong the life of affected individuals, although recurrence or metastasis often occurs.
• Chemotherapy may be of benefit for certain tumor types, such as nephroblastoma and lymphoma. Generally, chemotherapy necessitates the use of a combination of potent drugs, and should be administered by individuals who have experience and expertise in treating these patients.
• Radiation therapy may be of benefit in certain metastatic tumors, such as renal carcinoma that has spread to bone.
• Antibiotic therapy is indicated in those patients with concurrent urinary tract infections.

Follow-up for Cats with Renal Neoplasia

Optimal treatment for your pet requires a combination of home and professional veterinary care. Follow-up can be critical, especially if your pet does not rapidly improve.

• Administer all prescribed medication as directed. Alert your veterinarian if your pet is having any problems, such as respiratory difficulty or changes in urination.
• General blood work, including a complete blood count and biochemical profile, may need to be reevaluated as recommended by your veterinarian.
• Abdominal ultrasound, depending on the tumor type, should be followed every several months.
• Thoracic radiographs may be recommended on a regular basis to assess for metastatic disease.
• Long-term prognosis is poor for most of the malignant renal tumors.