Feline ocular post-traumatic sarcomas: Current understanding, treatment and monitoring

Abstract

Practical relevance: Ocular tumors in cats are seen uncommonly in general practice. Feline ocular post-traumatic sarcomas (FOPTS) represent a very aggressive type of ocular cancer that occurs in cats with a prior history of trauma or severe intraocular disease. Treatment options are limited and early recognition is imperative for close monitoring of disease progression and prompt enucleation. Clinical challenges: There is often a delay between the initiating ocular trauma and tumor formation, with an average latency of approximately 6–7 years. Therefore, many cases may not be presented with a documented history of a traumatic incident, especially if the event occurred prior to adoption. While a histologic diagnosis is easy to obtain with enucleation, the aggressive and locally invasive behavior of FOPTS may prevent complete surgical resection. Global importance: Cats are the most popular pet in the USA and Western Europe. As there is no breed predisposition for this particular cancer, and males are only slightly over-represented compared with females, a relatively large population of companion animals is at potential risk of developing FOPTS. Audience: While uncommon, the understanding and recognition of this tumor type by general practitioners is important for the feline patient. This allows for close monitoring of cats known to have undergone serious ocular trauma, and prompt referral or early enucleation, as well as client education. Patient group: The typical patient is a middle-aged to older cat with a history of mechanical trauma to the eye, past intraocular surgery or chronic uveitis. Evidence base: Historically, there has been limited clinical evidence upon which to determine the optimal treatment for FOPTS, beyond enucleation of the affected eye. Recommendations are generally based on limited case reports and clinical experience of the practitioner.

Intraocular extraskeletal osteosarcoma in a rabbit (<i>Oryctolagus cuniculus</i>)

“…Cats with FPTOS have histories such as trauma, chronic uveitis, cataract, phthisis bulbi and intraocular surgery involving the lens [4,17,18]. The period from these clinical event to occurrence of neoplasm is from several months to 10 years [17].…”

“…In one study, 387 of 560 FPTOS cases were consistent with this pattern. In addition, 41 of 560 FPTOS cases were osteosarcoma or chondrosarcoma [17]. The origin of the neoplastic cells in the osteosarcoma/chondrosarcoma variant remains unclear [17].…”

“…In addition, 41 of 560 FPTOS cases were osteosarcoma or chondrosarcoma [17]. The origin of the neoplastic cells in the osteosarcoma/chondrosarcoma variant remains unclear [17]. Lens rupture occurred in almost all cases [2].…”

“…In those reports, the authors suggested that the morphologic features and biologic behaviors of the neoplasms resembled those of feline post-traumatic ocular sarcoma (FPTOS) [ 1 , 10 ]. FPTOS is a very aggressive tumor, with a pathogenesis that appears to involve prior history of ocular trauma or severe, chronic ocular disease [ 17 ]. Cats with FPTOS have histories such as trauma, chronic uveitis, cataract, phthisis bulbi and intraocular surgery involving the lens [ 4 , 17 , 18 ].…”

“…FPTOS is a very aggressive tumor, with a pathogenesis that appears to involve prior history of ocular trauma or severe, chronic ocular disease [ 17 ]. Cats with FPTOS have histories such as trauma, chronic uveitis, cataract, phthisis bulbi and intraocular surgery involving the lens [ 4 , 17 , 18 ]. The period from these clinical event to occurrence of neoplasm is from several months to 10 years [ 17 ].…”