Factors influencing malignant tumor development in cats from a multicenter retrospective study.

Abstract

Animal cancer registries (ACRs) are vital tools in veterinary oncology, offering insights into tumor epidemiology and supporting comparative research. Despite cancer being a major cause of feline mortality, data on feline tumor epidemiology remain limited. This study aimed to investigate temporal trends in histologically diagnosed feline tumors and assess how breed, sex, neuter status, age, and geographic origin affect malignancy and tumor distribution. A modified Vet-ICD-O-canine-1 coding system was applied to 5,289 tumors from two pathology-based ACRs in central Italy (2008-2023). Data were analyzed for time trends by the Cochrane-Armitage test, and logistic regression was used to assess the impact of the variables on tumor behavior ("malignant" vs. "benign") and the development of major cancer types. Of all tumors, 4,264 (80.6%) were malignant. Fibrosarcomas (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;926; 17.5%), adenocarcinomas (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;814; 15.4%), squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;738; 14.0%), and lymphomas (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;507; 9.6%) were the most common types of cancer. Malignancy risk increased by 8% per year of age (OR&#x2009;=&#x2009;1.08; 95%CI 1.06-1.10). Females (OR&#x2009;=&#x2009;1.39; 95%CI 1.19-1.62) and non-purebred cats (OR&#x2009;=&#x2009;1.89; 95%CI 1.47-2.38) had higher odds of malignancy. Neutered status was associated with reduced adenocarcinoma risk (OR&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.79; 95% CI 0.66-0.94). Temporal trends included rising SCCs (p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.001) and declining fibrosarcomas (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). These findings support previous findings and identify previously unknown risk factors, underscoring the value of multicenter ACR-based surveillance.