Feline vaccine-associated sarcoma : a case report and current management options

Abstract

Feline vaccine-associated sarcomas (VASs) are locally aggressive tumors that have presented many challenges to the veterinary profession over the last decade. These tumors are most commonly associated with the administration of killed adjuvanted vaccines, but the etiopathogenesis is yet to be confirmed. Ideal management involves early detection and multimodality treatment, including wide surgical resection, radiation, and chemotherapy. Still, this approach has only achieved modest success. At this point in time, efforts to manage this problem are focused on prevention. This paper presents the case of a 7-year-old spayed female Siamese cat with a recurrent vaccine associated sarcoma. Her presentation is typical of those seen at referral institutions, and will be used to illustrate the process of diagnosis and considerations for management of the disease.