Outcomes in 40 cats with discrete intermediate- or large-cell gastrointestinal lymphoma masses treated with surgical mass resection (2005-2015).

OBJECTIVE: To report outcomes in cats with discrete intermediate- and large-cell gastrointestinal (GI) lymphoma masses after surgical resection. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective clinical case series. ANIMALS: Forty client-owned cats in which intermediate- or large-cell GI lymphoma was diagnosed. METHODS: Records of 40 cats in which discrete intermediate- or large-cell GI lymphoma masses were diagnosed between 2005 and 2015 were reviewed. Cats were included if they survived curative intent surgery and had a known outcome for at least two weeks. Postoperative death was permitted. Data collected included anatomic site, surgical margins, lymphoma subtype, chemotherapy use, and postoperative and long-term outcome (beyond two weeks). RESULTS: Affected sites consisted of small intestines (n = 23), large intestines (n = 9), and stomach (n = 8). Thirty-six of 40 cats survived to discharge, and 31 cats were alive at suture removal. Median long-term follow-up of 22 cats was 111 days (range, 16-1407). Cats that survived to suture removal had a median survival time (MST) of 185 days (95% confidence interval: 72-465). Cats with large intestinal masses lived longer than those with small intestinal or gastric masses whether all cats (MST, 675, 64, 96 days, respectively; P = .03) or only those surviving to suture removal were considered. Complete surgical resection (n = 20) was positively associated with survival (370 vs 83 days, P = .016). CONCLUSION: Most cats in this population survived the perioperative period, with MST similar to those reported historically with medical management. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Surgical resection may be a reasonable consideration in cats with solitary lymphoma, particularly those with large intestinal masses.