Feline lung–digit syndrome

Abstract

This article reviews the previous literature and case reports of feline lung-digit syndrome and feline primary pulmonary neoplasia in general, discussing the course of this disease and the varying clinical presentations associated with different sites of metastasis.

Digital Lesions in Dogs: A Statistical Breed Analysis of 2912 Cases

“…In cats, “digit–lung syndrome” is described in cases of primary pulmonary neoplasms with metastasis in the digits [ 45 ]. On the one hand, This most likely results from the angioinvasive properties of these neoplasms [ 45 ] and on the other hand, from the high digital blood flow to facilitate heat loss in cats [ 46 ]. Due to the lack of anamnestic data, the previous study enables no statement regarding this syndrome in dogs.…”

Calvaria and orbital metastases of pulmonary adenosquamous carcinoma in a cat: a diagnostic challenge

“…Primary lung tumors are rare in cats and occur as a sporadic disease in geriatric animals, with the average age at diagnosis ranging from 12 to 13 years and no breed or sex predilections [ 10 ]. An accurate and early diagnosis is often essential due to the poor prognosis in case of pulmonary neoplasm; however, cats affected by pulmonary tumors often have nonspecific clinical signs, and diagnosis can be difficult [ 4 ]. The present report describes an unusual metastatic pattern of primary pulmonary adenosquamous carcinoma in a cat presented for exophthalmos and swelling of the left side of the head, without premonitory respiratory signs.…”

“…The association between lameness and pulmonary carcinoma, or “lung-digit syndrome”, is well known, and it may be related to the angioinvasive properties of pulmonary carcinomas and high digital blood flow [ 4 , 8 ]. Occasionally, feline pulmonary carcinoma can metastasize to other sites, such as the skin [ 3 , 7 ], eye [ 9 ], skeletal muscle [ 6 ] and long bone [ 8 ], as well as more common sites of metastases, such as the liver and spleen [ 4 ]. Few reports of bone metastasis in cats aside from that in the digits are described in the literature [ 8 ].…”

“…The present case showed an unusual metastatic pattern, with widespread metastases without digit involvement. Often lung carcinomas are diagnosed after an animal has been presented for lameness, and this is often the only complaint [ 4 ]. Single or multiple digits (especially the weight-bearing ones) of 1 or more limbs may be affected, with classical osteolysis of the third phalanx, sometimes with invasion of the intra-articular space [ 4 ].…”

“…Often lung carcinomas are diagnosed after an animal has been presented for lameness, and this is often the only complaint [ 4 ]. Single or multiple digits (especially the weight-bearing ones) of 1 or more limbs may be affected, with classical osteolysis of the third phalanx, sometimes with invasion of the intra-articular space [ 4 ]. In the present case, no lameness was reported in the cat history, and no metastases were observed in the limbs or digits.…”