Table 58-11.
Characteristics of Feline Alimentary Lymphocytic and Lymphoblastic Lymphoma
| Feature | Lymphocytic Lymphoma | Lymphoblastic Lymphoma |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical signs | Gradual weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite | Rapid weight loss, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea |
| Duration of clinical signs | Typically prolonged (weeks to months) | Typically acute (days to weeks) |
| Physical examination and ultrasonographic findings | May be normal; thickened bowel loops; palpable masses uncommon | Palpable mass lesions common |
| Diagnostic workup | Aspiration cytology, endoscopy, full-thickness surgical biopsy | Aspiration cytology, endoscopy, full-thickness surgical biopsy |
| Pitfalls of diagnostic testing | False negatives on aspiration cytology; differentiation of LSA from IBD | False negatives on aspiration cytology, differentiation of LSA from IBD |
| Surgical intervention | Useful for definitive biopsy | Therapeutic if obstructing mass lesions are present |
| Therapy | Chemotherapy—prednisone and chlorambucil; radiation therapy—may prolong survival | Chemotherapy–CHOP, CCNU, MOPP; radiation therapy—may prolong survival |
| Response to therapy | 75% to 90% response rate | 50% to 60% response rate |
| Outcome | Most cats live >2 years and are managed long-term with chemotherapy | Median survival 6 to 7 months; if complete response to therapy 40% chance of living a year or longer |
CHOP, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone ± l-asparaginase ± methotrexate; CCNU, lomustine; IBD, inflammatory bowel disease; LSA, lymphosarcoma; MOPP, mustargen, vincristine, prednisone, procarbazine.
Adapted from Gieger T: Alimentary lymphoma in cats and dogs. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 41:419–432, 2011; with permission.