File # 23em

J Vet Intern Med 2003;17:850859

Feline Intracranial Neoplasia: Retrospective Review of 160 Cases

(19852001)
Mark T. Troxel, Charles H. Vite, Thomas J. Van Winkle, Alisa L. Newton, Deena Tiches,
Betsy Dayrell-Hart, Amy S. Kapatkin, Frances S. Shofer, and Sheldon A. Steinberg

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of different tumor types within a large cohort of cats with intracranial
neoplasia and to attempt to correlate signalment, tumor size and location, and survival time for each tumor. Medical records of
160 cats with confirmed intracranial neoplasia evaluated between 1985 and 2001 were reviewed. Parameters evaluated included
age, sex, breed, FeLV/FIV status, clinical signs, duration of signs, number of tumors, tumor location(s), imaging results, treatment,
survival times, and histopathologic diagnosis. Most of the cats were older (11.3 6 3.8 years). Primary tumors accounted for 70.6%
of cases. Metastasis and direct extension of secondary tumors accounted for only 5.6 and 3.8% of cases, respectively. Twelve cats
(7.5%) had 2 or more discrete tumors of the same type, whereas 16 cats (10.0%) had 2 different types of intracranial tumors. The
most common tumor types were meningioma (n 5 93, 58.1%), lymphoma (n 5 23, 14.4%), pituitary tumors (n 5 14, 8.8%), and
gliomas (n 5 12, 7.5%). The most common neurological signs were altered consciousness (n 5 42, 26.2%), circling (n 5 36,
22.5%), and seizures (n 5 36, 22.5%). Cats without specific neurological signs were common (n 5 34, 21.2%). The tumor was
considered an incidental finding in 30 (18.8%) cats. In addition to expected relationships (eg, meninges and meningioma, pituitary
and pituitary tumors), we found that lesion location was predictive of tumor type with diffuse cerebral or brainstem involvement
predictive of lymphoma and third ventricle involvement predictive of meningioma.
Key words: Brain tumor; Cat; Diagnosis; Glioma; Lymphoma; Meningioma.

T he incidence of intracranial neoplasia is reported as

14.5 in 100,000 dogs and 3.5 in 100,000 cats,1 with
other reports indicating an incidence as high as 2.6% in
how signalment, clinical signs, tumor size and location, and
survival time correlated with each tumor.

dogs and 2.2% in cats.2,3 Meningiomas and gliomas are the

most common brain tumors in dogs, and many reports de-
scribe clinical signs of brain tumors; diagnostic methods,
including advanced brain imaging; and various treatment
strategies.49 There is little information, however, regarding
intracranial tumors in cats, with the exception of a small
series of retrospective studies on meningiomas1015 and oc-
casional reports of other intracranial tumors, diagnostic
methods, and treatment strategies.1626
As advanced imaging modalities such as magnetic reso-
nance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) be-
come more available to veterinary practitioners, the ability
to diagnose intracranial neoplasia and provide specific treat-
ment is increasing. Additional data on the frequency and
behavior of feline brain tumors might improve the accuracy
of antemortem diagnosis and help in determining the best
treatment strategy. The purpose of this study was to deter-
mine the frequency of different tumor types within a large
cohort of cats with intracranial neoplasia and to examine
From the Departments of Clinical Studies (Troxel, Vite, Kapatkin,
Shofer, Steinberg) and Pathobiology (Van Winkle, Newton), School of
Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA;
the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, VCA Veterinary Re-
ferral Associates, Gaithersburg, MD (Tiches); and the Department of
Neurology, Southpaws Veterinary Referral Center, Springfield, VA
(Dayrell-Hart). Previously presented at the 21st Annual American Col-
lege of Veterinary Internal Medicine Scientific Forum/Poster Presen-
tation, June 5, 2003.
Reprint requests: Mark T. Troxel, DVM, Department of Clinical
Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania,
3900 Delancey Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104; e-mail: mtroxel@vet.
upenn.edu.
Submitted April 8, 2003; Revised June 17, 2003; Accepted July 22,
2003.
Copyright q 2003 by the American College of Veterinary Internal
Medicine
0891-6640/03/1706-0013/$3.00/0
Materials and Methods
Medical records of all cats with intracranial neoplasia confirmed by
biopsy or postmortem examination at the Laboratory of Pathology and
Toxicology at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of
Pennsylvania between 1985 and 2001 were reviewed. Biopsy included
surgical biopsies from the Veterinary Hospital of the University of
Pennsylvania (VHUP) and referring veterinarians, as well as postmor-
tem specimens submitted by referring veterinarians. Postmortem ex-
amination included only cats seen as patients at VHUP. For the purpose
of this paper, intracranial neoplasia was defined as any neoplasm oc-
curring within the cranial vault.
Overall tumor frequency is reported for all cats with a histologic
diagnosis of intracranial neoplasia during the study period. Statistical
analyses were performed only on those cats for which the medical
record was available for review. Parameters evaluated included age,
sex, breed, feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency
virus (FIV) status, duration of clinical signs, clinical signs present at
initial examination, treatment, survival time, number of tumors, tumor
location(s), tumor size, imaging results, and histopathologic diagnosis.
Onset of clinical signs was based on owner observations. From onset,
the duration of clinical signs until first examined, duration of clinical
signs until diagnosis (either presumptive [MRI or CT] or definitive
diagnosis), and duration of clinical signs until death was recorded.
For statistical analyses, tumors were classified as meningioma, gli-
oma (astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma), lymphoma, pituitary, and neu-
roepithelial (ependymoma, choroid plexus tumor). Comparison of clin-
ical signs and lesion location to tumor type was made with the chi-
square test. Analysis of variance was used to compare age to tumor
type. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare duration of clinical
signs, duration of clinical signs until diagnosis, and duration of clinical
signs until death to tumor type. The Kaplan-Meier product limit meth-
od was used to estimate the portion of cats that were alive or had died
for each tumor type. Statistical differences in survival among tumor
types and for cats with meningioma treated with and without surgery
were assessed by the log rank test. Statistical significance was defined
as P , .05. All analyses were performed with SAS statistical soft-
ware.a
 File # 23em

Intracranial Neoplasia in Cats 851

Table 1. Frequency of neoplasms in 228 cats with 244 1.5 : 1. However, this was not statistically significant (P 5
brain tumors presented to the biopsy or postmortem ex- .25). The most common breed was domestic shorthair
amination service at the University of Pennsylvania School (DSH; n 5 136, 85%). Other breeds included domestic
of Veterinary Medicine (19852001). Sixteen cats had 2 longhair (DLH; n 5 6, 3.8%), Maine Coon (n 5 5, 3.1%),
histologically diferent intracranial neoplasms. Frequency is Siamese (n 5 5, 3.1%), Himalayan (n 5 2, 1.2%), Persian
listed as a percentage of all 244 intracranial tumors iden- (n 5 2, 1.2%), and 1 cat each of Abyssinian, Devon Rex,
tified during the study period. and Manx.
FeLV and FIV status were known for 103 and 87 cats,
Tumor Type Number Frequency (%)
respectively. Four cats (3.9%) were FeLV positive and 3
Primary brain tumors cats (3.4%) were FIV positive.
Astrocytoma 7 2.8 The most common neurological signs (Table 2) observed
Choroid plexus tumor 1 0.4 by owners were altered consciousness (n 5 42, 26.2%),
Ependymoma 7 2.8 such as depression, stupor, or coma; circling (n 5 36,
Meningioma 144 59.0 22.5%); seizures (n 5 36, 22.5%); ataxia (n 5 27, 16.9%);
Olfactory neuroblastoma 2 0.8
and behavioral changes (n 5 25, 15.6%). Sudden onset of
Oligodendroglioma 6 2.4
aggression was the most common behavior change (n 5
Primitive neuroectodermal tumor 1 0.4
15/25, 60.0%). Cats without specific neurological signs
Secondary brain tumors were common (n 5 34, 21.2%). Lethargy (n 5 32, 20.0%)
Adenocarcinomapulmonary 3 1.2 and inappetence or anorexia (n 5 29, 18.1%) were the most
Adenocarcinomaunclassified 1 0.4 common nonspecific clinical signs noted by owners.
Carcinomauncharacterized 1 0.4
Duration of clinical signs before initial neurological ex-
Fibrosarcoma 1 0.4
amination was recorded for 134 patients. The overall me-
Hemangiosarcoma 2 0.8
Lymphoma 39 16.0 dian duration of clinical signs was 21 days (range 11,095
Malignant fibrous histiocytoma 1 0.4 days). Median duration of clinical signs until diagnosis was
Myxosarcoma 1 0.4 22 days (n 5 131; range 11,095 days). Median duration
Nasal (adeno) carcinoma 3 1.2 of clinical signs until death was 28 days (n 5 113; range
Pituitary 22 9.0 12,922 days). The status at the time of writing was known
Sarcomaunclassified 1 0.4 for 137 cats; 7 cats (4.4%) were still alive, 130 cats (81.3%)
Squamous cell carcinoma 1 0.4 had died or were euthanized, and 23 cats (14.4%) were lost
to follow-up by the referring veterinarian. No statistically
significant differences in duration of clinical signs, duration
of clinical signs until diagnosis, or duration of clinical signs
Results
until death were observed for any of the tumor groups.
During the study period, 244 intracranial neoplasms were The most common diagnostic tests performed were CBC,
diagnosed in 228 cats. The frequency of each tumor type serum biochemistry, thoracic radiographs, cerebrospinal
is presented in Table 1. fluid (CSF) analysis, and advanced imaging (MRI or CT).
Medical records were available for review for 160 cats Routine diagnostics (CBC, biochemistry, radiographs) were
with a total of 185 brain tumors, with 64 cases (40.0%) not analyzed. CSF analysis was performed in 28 (17.5%)
originating from the biopsy service and 96 cases (60.0%) cats. Median CSF total protein (TP) and nucleated cell
originating from the postmortem examination service. Pri- count (NCC) were 38.0 mg/dL (range 16427 mg/dL; ref-
mary brain tumors were most common, accounting for erence range ,25 mg/dL) and 5 cells/mL (range 0162
70.6% of cases, whereas secondary tumors accounted for cells/mL; reference range ,5 cells/mL), respectively. Ab-
29.4% of cases. The most common primary brain tumor normally high total protein concentration without concom-
was meningioma (n 5 93, 58.1%). The most common sec- itant increase in nucleated cell count (albuminocytologic
ondary brain tumors were lymphoma (n 5 23, 14.4%) and dissociation) was noted in 8 (28.6%) cats. The remaining
pituitary tumors (n 5 14, 8.8%). Metastasis to the brain 20 cats had varied increases in nucleated cell counts. Dif-
was found in 9 cats (5.6%). Direct extension into the brain ferential cytology was performed on 15 CSF samples. Me-
was found in 6 cats (3.8%). Sixteen cats (10.0%) had 2 or dian cell percentages were 30% neutrophils (range 089%),
more discrete intracranial tumors of the same type, and an- 10% lymphocytes (range 067%), and 30% monocytes
other 16 cats (10.0%) had 2 different types of intracranial (range 592%). Eosinophils were seen in 1 cat with a me-
neoplasms. The intracranial tumor was considered an inci- ningioma, and lymphoblasts were detected in 1 cat with
dental finding in 30 cats (18.8%). Four cats (2.5%) had an lymphoma.
unrelated neoplasm outside the nervous system. Because of the presence of multiple tumors in several
The overall mean age was 11.3 6 3.8 years (range 0.5 cats, 185 individual intracranial neoplasms were identified.
21.5 years). Cats with meningiomas (12.2 6 3.3 years) There were 153 (82.7%) extra-axial and 22 (11.8%) intra-
were significantly older (P 5 .005) than cats with neuro- axial tumors. Ten tumors (5.4%) were both extra- and intra-
epithelial tumors (8.2 6 3.3 years). However, there were axial. Location of tumor to either the supratentorial (cranial
no statistical differences in age among meningioma, glioma, to the tentorium cerebelli: cerebrum, diencephalon, mid-
lymphoma, and pituitary tumors. The study included 4 brain) or infratentorial (caudal to the tentorium cerebelli:
(2.5%) intact female, 61 (38.1%) spayed female, and 95 pons, medulla, cerebellum) compartment was recorded for
(59.4%) castrated male cats. The male : female ratio was 181 tumors. The supratentorial compartment was affected

852 Troxel et al
Table 2. Clinical signs observed in 160 cats diagnosed with intracranial neoplasia.
Clinical Sign
Neurological signs
Altered mental status (depression, stupor, coma)
Circling
Seizures
Ataxia
Behavior change (eg, aggression)
Loss of balance, staggering
Blindness
Pacing, walking into corners, head pressing
Tetraparesis
Disorientation
Falling
Vocalizing
Nystagmus
Head tilt
Opisthotonus
Inappropriate elimination
Head tremors
Hemiparesis
Head turn
Horners syndrome
Nonspecific clinical signs
Lethargy
Anorexia/inappetence
Weight loss
Polyuria/polydipsia
by 158 tumors (87.3%). Infratentorial involvement was not-
ed for 6 tumors (3.3%). Both compartments were affected
by 17 tumors (9.4%). Lesion side was noted in 152 tumors,
and the right and left sides of the brain were similarly af-
fected (right n 5 32, 21.0%; left n 5 40, 26.3%). There
were 15 (9.9%) bilateral and 65 (42.8%) midline intracra-
nial neoplasms. Tumor location (Table 3) was significantly
correlated (P , .05) with tumor type in several locations.
In addition to expected relationships (eg, meningiomas in
meninges, pituitary tumors in the pituitary gland, neuro-
epithelial tumors in the lateral ventricles), tumors within the
third ventricle were most likely to be meningioma (P 5
.0003). Lymphoma was identified in all cats in which dif-
fuse cerebral (P 5 .0006) or diffuse brainstem (P , .0001)
involvement was noted at postmortem examination. Tumor
size was not predictive of tumor type.
Meningioma
Meningioma was the most common tumor type (n 5 93,
58.1%). Multiple meningiomas were seen in 16 cats
(17.2%; 2 tumors, n 5 10; 3 tumors, n 5 1; 4 or more
tumors, n 5 5). Thirteen cats (14.0%) had a meningioma
in addition to another intracranial neoplasm, including lym-
phoma (n 5 6), pituitary tumor (n 5 4), and 1 cat each
with malignant fibrous histiocytoma, adenocarcinoma, or an
unclassified sarcoma. The mean age was 12.1 6 3.2 years.
There was a slight male predisposition, with 57 male (all
castrated) and 36 female (2 intact, 34 spayed) cats (male :
female ratio 1.5 : 1). However, there was no significant dif-
ference between sexes (P 5 .60). Breeds affected included
DSH (n 5 78, 83.8%), DLH (n 5 4), Maine Coon (n 5
File # 23em
Number Frequency (%)
42 26.2
36 22.5
36 22.5
27 16.9
25 15.6
16 10.0
16 10.0
15 9.4
13 7.5
9 5.6
7 4.4
6 3.8
6 3.8
5 3.1
4 2.5
3 1.9
2 1.2
2 1.2
1 0.6
1 0.6
32 20.0
29 18.1
10 6.2
4 2.5
4), Siamese (n 5 3), and 1 cat each of Persian, Himalayan,
Devon Rex, and Manx. One of 50 cats (2.0%) tested was
positive for FeLV and 3 of 43 cats (6.0%) tested were pos-
itive for FIV. The most common clinical signs were altered
consciousness (n 5 24; 25.8%), seizures (n 5 23; 24.7%),
and circling (n 5 21; 22.6%). Twenty cats (21.5%) with
meningioma presented without specific neurological clini-
cal signs. Nonspecific signs of lethargy and anorexia were
seen in 16 and 13 cats, respectively. Incidental meningio-
mas were common (n 5 21; 22.6%). The median duration
of clinical signs was 24.5 days (range 11,095 days), and
the median duration of clinical signs until diagnosis was 30
days (range 11,095 days). CSF was analyzed in 15 cats.
The median TP and NCC cell counts (n 5 12) were 59.5
mg/dL (range 16403 mg/dL) and 5 cells/mL (range 340
cells/mL). Differential cytology was performed in 9 cats.
The median cell percentages were 20% neutrophils (range
062%), 30% lymphocytes (range 767%), and 37%
monocytes (range 1592%). Eosinophils were seen in 1 cat
and accounted for 3% of the cells present. Imaging was
performed in 37 cats, with a presumptive diagnosis made
via CT in 7 (18.9%) and MRI in 30 (81.1%) cats.
Treatment with radiation, chemotherapy, or surgery was
attempted in 39 cats. The most common treatment modality
was surgery (n 5 34). Cats treated by surgery had a sig-
nificantly longer survival time after diagnosis (P , .001)
than cats treated by any other treatment strategy. Median
survival time for cats that were not treated with surgery
was 18 days compared to 685 days for cats treated by sur-
gery (Fig 1). Postoperative recurrence of meningioma was
seen in 7 cats (20.6%); 6 tumors recurred at the site of the
 File # 23em

Intracranial Neoplasia in Cats 853

Table 3. Location of 137 intracranial tumors by tumor group.

Glioma Neuroepithelial Pituitary Lymphoma Meningioma
Lesion Location (n 5 12) (n 5 8) (n 5 14) (n 5 23) (n 5 80)
Frontal lobe 0 0 0 1 11
Olfactory bulb 1 0 0 3 3
Pyriform lobe 3 0 0 0 3
Temporal lobe 3 0 0 1 13
Parietal lobe 1 0 0 0 14
Occipital lobe 0 0 0 0 7
Basal nuclei 2 0 0 0 0
Diencephalon 2 0 0 3 5
Pituitary gland 0 0 14 3 1
Cerebrumdiffuse involvement 0 0 0 7 0
Lateral ventricle 1 3 0 0 0
Third ventricle 0 5 1 0 16
Falx cerebri 0 0 0 2 4
Midbrain 1 0 1 3 2
Pons 1 0 0 2 0
Medulla 1 0 0 1 0
Brainstemdiffuse involvement 0 0 0 8 0
Cerebellum 1 0 0 2 5
Fourth ventricle 1 0 0 1 0
Meninges 0 0 0 7 80
Choroid plexus 0 1 0 2 0
Cranial nerves 0 0 0 1 1

Glioma, includes astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma; Neuroepithelial, includes ependymoma and choroid plexus tumors.

original tumor. The median postoperative time to recurrence
in these 6 cats was 285 days (range 123683 days). The
remaining cat was operated on by another veterinary teach-
ing hospital in 1993 before being operated on at VHUP in
2001 for a meningioma in a different location, and it was
still alive after 28 months.
Radiation was performed in 4 cats, and chemotherapy
was attempted in 1 cat. After surgical resection of a lateral
rostrotentorial mass, 1 cat was diagnosed with a meningi-
oma surrounded by neoplastic lymphocytes. This cat later
was diagnosed with multicentric lymphoma, was treated
with an unspecified chemotherapeutic protocol, and sur-
vived for 82 days postoperatively. Another cat with a su-
prasellar meningioma visualized on MRI was treated with
orthovoltage radiation (400 cGy, 3 doses weekly, cumula-
tive dose 48 Gy). MRI repeated 2 months later showed no
change in tumor volume. This cat survived for 240 days
before being euthanized for non-CNS lymphoma. Details
of 3 other cats treated with radiation alone were not avail-
able.
The most commonly affected brain regions were within
the third ventricle (n 5 16; 17.2%) or adjacent to the pa-
rietal lobe (n 5 14; 15.1%), temporal lobe (n 5 13; 14.0%),
frontal lobe (n 5 11; 11.8%), occipital lobe (n 5 7; 7.5%),
cerebellum (n 5 6; 6.5%), diencephalon (n 5 5; 5.4%),
and falx cerebri (n 5 4; 4.3%). All other regions of the
brain were affected in ,3% of cats. The tumor was supra-
tentorial in 86 cats (92.4%), infratentorial in 5 cats (5.4%),
and in both compartments in 2 cats (2.1%). All of the me-
ningiomas were extra-axial. Invasion into the underlying
brain parenchyma was not noted. Tumor size at postmortem
examination was recorded in 66 cats, with a median tumor
size of 3.4 cm3 (range 091 cm3). Cerebellar herniation was
seen at postmortem examination in 11 cats (11.8%).

Fig 1. Survival of cats with meningioma following surgery com-
pared to cats in which surgery was not performed. Cats that had sur-
gery survived significantly longer (P , 0.001).
Glioma
Six cats were diagnosed with astrocytoma. Histopatho-
logic diagnoses were astrocytoma (n 5 3), gemistocytic
astrocytoma (n 5 2), glioblastoma multiforme (n 5 1), and
subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (n 5 1). The mean
age was 12.9 6 3.1 years. There were 5 castrated males
and 1 spayed female. Five of the cats were DSH and the
other was a Persian. All cats tested were negative for FeLV
(n 5 4) and FIV (n 5 3). The most common clinical signs
were circling (n 5 6), seizures (n 5 4), and altered con-
sciousness (n 5 2). The median duration of clinical signs

854 Troxel et al
was 5.5 days (range 190 days). CSF analysis was per-
formed in 2 cats. The median CSF TP and NCC were 25
mg/dL (range 2228 mg/dL) and 55.5 cells/mL (range 0
162 cells/mL), respectively. Differential cell cytology was
performed in 1 cat, yielding 31% nondegenerate neutro-
phils, 10% small lymphocytes, and 59% large monocytes.
A presumptive diagnosis of glioma was made in 3 cats by
CT (n 5 1) or MRI (n 5 2). Two cats were treated by
surgical biopsy and debulking, as well as palliative corti-
costeroids. Histopathology was inconclusive in one of these
cats and a second surgery was performed 32 days later,
yielding a diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme. This cat
also received megavoltage radiation therapy (linear accel-
erator; unspecified dose) and survived for 179 days after
the first operation. The other cat survived 1 day postoper-
atively. Histopathologic diagnosis in this cat was gemisto-
cytic astrocytoma. The survival time for 1 cat treated with
corticosteroids alone was 35 days.
The brain regions affected by the astrocytomas included
the olfactory bulb (n 5 1), pyriform lobe (n 5 2), parietal
lobe (n 5 1), basal nuclei (n 5 1), lateral ventricle (n 5
1), and diencephalon (n 5 1). Median tumor size measured
at postmortem examination was 4.2 cm3 (range 2.115.6
cm3). All of the astrocytomas were supratentorial and intra-
axial. The tumor was located in the ventral half of the brain
in all 4 of the cats in which specific details on lesion lo-
cation were noted in the record.
Oligodendroglioma was diagnosed in 6 cats. Median age
was 9.3 years (range 3.414.0 years). There were 3 cas-
trated male and 3 spayed female cats affected. Five of the
cats were tested for FeLV and FIV; all were negative.
Breeds represented were DSH (n 5 5) and Maine Coon (n
5 1). The median duration of clinical signs was 21.0 days
(range 330 days). Seizures were the most common clinical
sign (n 5 3). Altered consciousness, aggression, circling,
and ataxia each were seen in 2 cats. CSF analysis was per-
formed in 3 cats. Median TP was 21 mg/dL (range 20427
mg/dL). Median NCC was 3 cells/mL (range 245 cells/
mL). Differential cytology was performed on the CSF in 2
cats. Differential cytology for one of these cats was 68%
neutrophils, 16% lymphocytes, and 16% activated mono-
cytes. Cytology from the other cat yielded 14 cells, includ-
ing 2 nondegenerate neutrophils and 12 monocytoid cells.
MRI was performed in 4 cats leading to a presumptive di-
agnosis of glioma. Excisional biopsy and palliative corti-
costeroid therapy was attempted in 2 cats, whereas 1 cat
was treated with corticosteroids alone. Postoperative sur-
vival time was 1 day in 1 cat; the other cat was lost to
follow-up after its initial 30-day recheck examination. The
cat treated with corticosteroids alone before diagnosis was
euthanized 5 days after presentation when an MRI disclosed
the presence of a brain tumor.
The most commonly affected region was the temporal
lobe (n 5 3). The following regions of the brain also were
affected by 1 tumor: pyriform lobe, basal nuclei, dienceph-
alon, midbrain, pons, medulla, cerebellum, and 4th ventri-
cle. The tumor was supratentorial in 5 cats. All of the tu-
mors were intra-axial and were located in the ventral por-
tion of the brain. The tumor in 1 cat involved both the
supratentorial and infratentorial compartments. Median tu-
mor size was 3.4 cm3 (range 1.06.0 cm3).
File # 23em
Lymphoma
Twenty-three cats were diagnosed with intracranial lym-
phoma. Eight (34.8%) of the cats were diagnosed with pri-
mary intracranial lymphoma. Lymphoma caused a mass le-
sion in 3 (13.0%) cats, with 2 of the 3 cats having primary
intracranial lymphoma. Median age was 10.5 years (range
0.419.4 years). The study included 10 male (all castrated)
and 13 female (11 spayed, 2 intact) cats. Three of 17
(17.6%) cats tested positive for FeLV. Each of these cats
had diffuse intracranial lymphoma; 1 cat had multicentric
lymphoma. Fourteen cats with intracranial lymphoma tested
negative for FeLV. Ten of 14 cats had multicentric lym-
phoma, whereas lymphoma was localized to the brain alone
in the remaining 4 cats. All 12 cats tested for FIV were
negative. Median duration of clinical signs was 14 days
(range 1270 days). The most common clinical signs re-
ported were anorexia (n 5 8), ataxia (n 5 7), lethargy (n
5 7), altered consciousness (n 5 4), and aggression (n 5
3). CSF analysis was performed in 6 cats. TP and NCC
were performed in 4 cats, and differential cytology was
performed in 2 cats. Median CSF values were: TP 54.5 mg/
dL (range 35404 mg/dL), NCC 14.5 cells/mL (range 0
162 cells/mL), neutrophils 76% (range 6389%), lympho-
cytes 4% (range 26%), and monocytes 10% (range 5
15%). Lymphoblasts were reported as 20% of the differ-
ential cytology in 1 cat but were absent in the other cat in
which a differential cytology was obtained. Follow-up data
regarding survival time was available for 9 of 11 cats in
which palliative therapy with systemic corticosteroids was
attempted. The median survival time with corticosteroid
treatment was 21 days (range 9270 days). Excisional bi-
opsy was performed in 1 cat with a right intra-axial frontal
lobe mass. The cat also was given corticosteroids and sur-
vived for 30 days postoperatively. The most commonly af-
fected regions of the brain were diffuse brainstem (n 5 8),
diffuse cerebrum (n 5 7), and meninges (n 5 7).
Pituitary Tumors
Fourteen cats (9.3%) were diagnosed with pituitary tu-
mors. Median age was 10.1 years (range 4.217.0 years).
The study included 11 castrated male and 3 spayed female
cats (male : female ratio 3.7 : 1). However, there was no sta-
tistical difference between sexes (P 5 .25). Breeds included
DSH (n 5 13) and DLH (n 5 1). All of the cats that were
tested for FeLV (n 5 10) and FIV (n 5 6) were negative.
The most common neurological clinical signs were blind-
ness (n 5 5; 35.7%) and altered consciousness (n 5 4;
28.6%). Circling and ataxia each were noted in 2 cats,
whereas head pressing, head tilt, and pacing each were not-
ed in 1 cat. Nonspecific clinical signs included lethargy (n
5 4; 28.6%), anorexia (n 5 3; 21.4%), weight loss (n 5
2; 14.3%), and polyuria and polydipsia (PU/PD; n 5 1;
7.1%). Confirmed endocrine diseases identified in these cats
included diabetes mellitus (n 5 7; 50.0%), pituitary-depen-
dent hyperadrenocorticism (n 5 2; 14.3%), hypoadreno-
corticism (n 5 1; 7.1%), and hyperthyroidism (n 5 1;
7.1%). An undiagnosed endocrine disease was suspected in
2 cats on the basis of clinical signs of PU/PD, poor hair
coat, thin skin, and weight loss. The pituitary tumor was

Intracranial Neoplasia in Cats
considered incidental in 5 cats (35.7%). Median duration of
clinical signs was 37.5 days (range 1253 days).
Diagnostics were performed in 3 cats. CSF analysis was
performed in only 1 cat. The TP was 24 mg/dL and the
NCC was 0 cells/mL. Insufficient CSF was available for
cytologic examination. The tumor was presumptively di-
agnosed by CT in 1 cat and by MRI in 2 cats. The re-
maining cats (n 5 11) were diagnosed at postmortem ex-
amination. Treatment with corticosteroids was attempted in
5 cats. The median duration of clinical signs until death
was 52.5 days (range 1323 days). As would be expected,
all of the tumors were extra-axial and supratentorial. The
median tumor size (n 5 4) was 1.3 cm3 (range 0.73.4
cm3).
Neuroepithelial Tumors
Seven cats (4.4%) were diagnosed with ependymoma.
One of these cats also was diagnosed with an incidental
pituitary adenoma. Median age was 8.1 years (range 5.0
13.2 years). Sex distribution was 4 castrated male and 3
spayed female cats. Breeds included DSH (n 5 6) and DLH
(n 5 1). FeLV and FIV status were unknown for all of the
cats. Median duration of clinical signs was 21 days (range
2120 days). All 7 cats presented with neurological signs,
with the most common signs being altered consciousness
(n 5 4; 57.1%) and seizures (n 5 3; 42.9%). Nonspecific
clinical signs of lethargy and anorexia were each noted in
1 cat. None of the ependymomas was considered an inci-
dental finding. CSF analysis was performed in 2 cats. The
median TP was 63.5 mg/dL (range 20107 mg/dL), and the
median NCC was 49.5 cells/mL (range 495 cells/mL). Dif-
ferential cytology was performed in 1 cat demonstrating the
presence of numerous nondegenerate neutrophils, few sub-
arachnoid lining cells, and a single group of cells with ma-
lignant features (cell types not quantified). One cat with an
ependymoma in the left lateral ventricle was operated on 2
times, with the second surgery occurring 395 days later.
The cat survived for an additional 272 days after the second
surgery. Palliative therapy with corticosteroids was attempt-
ed in 3 cats before diagnosis, but the owners of all 3 cats
elected euthanasia after presentation but before diagnostics
or specific treatment. A 4th cat was treated with corticoste-
roids and survived for 685 days before being euthanized.
Ependymomas were located within the wall of the third
ventricle in 5 cats (71.4%) and in the wall of a lateral ven-
tricle in 2 cats (28.6%). Thus, all 7 ependymomas were
supratentorial. Median tumor size (n 5 3) was 1.0 cm3
(range 0.13.8 cm3). Severe cerebellar herniation (n 5 2)
and severe hydrocephalus (n 5 1) were noted in 2 cats with
a third ventricular ependymoma.
Choroid plexus tumor was diagnosed in 1 cat (0.6%).
The cat was a 5-year-old spayed female Siamese that pre-
sented for evaluation of a 3-month history of seizures and
blindness. The owner elected euthanasia after MRI dis-
closed the presence of a mass in the left lateral ventricle.
Histopathologic diagnosis at postmortem examination was
choroid plexus cystadenoma.
Olfactory Neuroblastoma
Two cats were diagnosed with olfactory neuroblastoma
during this study. One was a 14-year-old spayed female
File # 23em
855
DSH with a 10-day history of staggering, weight loss, and
listlessness. The other cat was a 12-year-old DLH with a
15-day history of sneezing, weakness, disorientation, cir-
cling, and walking into corners. Both cats were negative
for FeLV and FIV. A presumptive diagnosis of neoplasia
was determined by MRI. In both cats, the tumor was lo-
cated in the ventral frontal lobe area and appeared to extend
through the cribiform plate. The first cat was euthanized
after the MRI. The tumor size was 1.9 cm3 and it did not
appear to invade into the brain parenchyma. In the other
cat, treatment consisted of excisional biopsy and palliative
corticosteroids, but the cat was lost to follow-up after its
initial 30-day postoperative recheck examination. Histolog-
ical examination of the biopsy specimen indicated an ol-
factory neuroblastoma with extensive invasion of the dura
mater and cerebral cortex.
Nasal Tumors
Nasal tumors were diagnosed in 3 cats (1.9%) during the
study period. Median age was 7 years (range 513 years).
Sex distribution was 1 castrated male and 2 spayed female
cats. The breeds affected were DSH, Abyssinian, and Sia-
mese. One cat was tested for FeLV and FIV; both tests were
negative. Two cats presented for evaluation after a 2-month
history of clinical signs compatible with a chronic upper
respiratory infection (eg, sneezing, nasal discharge, labored
breathing). The remaining cat presented with a 3-week his-
tory of circling and depression. One cat was euthanized
after CT indicated the presence of a mass, whereas the oth-
ers were euthanized at the owners request after initial
physical examination. Two of the cats were diagnosed with
malignant nasal round cell neoplasia, and the other cat was
diagnosed with a nasal adenocarcinoma. Invasion of the
brain parenchyma was noted in 2 of 3 cats.
Metastatic Neoplasms
Nine cats were diagnosed with metastatic intracranial
neoplasia (Table 4). Histological diagnoses included pul-
monary adenocarcinoma (n 5 3), unclassified adenocarci-
noma (n 5 1), squamous cell carcinoma (n 5 1), malignant
fibrous histiocytoma (n 5 1), fibrosarcoma (n 5 1), un-
classified sarcoma (n 5 1), and hemangiosarcoma (n 5 1).
Discussion
This study characterized intracranial neoplasia in a large
cohort of cats. Because of the low incidence of certain tu-
mor types, conclusions drawn from statistical analysis must
be interpreted cautiously. Analysis of treatment modalities
and survival time likely is biased because many of the cats
were euthanized before diagnostics or treatment.
Several characteristics of feline brain tumors were similar
to previous reports in dogs, including a mean age of 11.3
years and a male : female ratio of 1.5 : 1.1,27 There was a
significant difference in age between cats with meningioma
(mean 12.2 years) and cats with neuroepithelial tumors
(mean 8.2 years); however, there were no differences in age
among meningioma, glioma, lymphoma, and pituitary tu-
mor groups. The domestic shorthair cat was the most com-
mon breed in this study, likely because of the relative fre-
quency of the breed in the cat population.
 856
Table 4. Clinical findings in 9 cats diagnosed with metastatic neoplasia via biopsy or necropsy at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (19852001).
Duration of Survival Incidental
Tumor Type Signalment Signs (days) Clinical Signs Treatment Time (days) Tumor Location Primary Tumor Location Finding? Other Tumor?
Pulmonary adenocarcinoma 14 years MC DSH 14 Respiratory distress Steroids 8 Right cerebral Lung Yes
cortex
7 years FS DSH 14 Ataxia, anorexia, tetra- None 0 Diffuse cerebral Lung No
paresis cortex
12 years MC DSH 14 Coughing, sneezing None 0 Optic nerve bilat- Lung Yes
erally, right tri-
geminal nerve,
choroid plexus
Unclassified adenocarcinoma 11 years FS DSH 10 Anterior uveitis, ataxia None 0 Pituitary gland Unknown Yes Multicentric

Troxel et al
lymphoma
Squamous cell carcinoma 14 years MC DSH 1 Blind, circling, lethargy, None 0 Rostroventral me- Nasal cavity No
tachypnea, depressed ninges
Fibrosarcoma 12 years FS DSH 1 Seizures None 0 Cerebral cortex Right kidney No
Malignant fibrous histiocytoma 15 years MC DSH 30 Weakness, recumbant, None 0 Occipital lobe Lung, kidney No Meningioma
Polyuria/polydipsia
Unclassified sarcoma 16 years MC DLH 14 Swollen left eye, an- None 0 Nasal cavity, left Unknownalso in Yes Meningioma
orexia, lethargy orbit, thalamus lungs, lymph
nodes, kidney
Hemangiosarcoma 10 years FS DSH 5 Nasal mass None 0 Occipital lobe Unknowndissemi- Yes
nated hemangiosar-
coma

C, castrated; DLH, domestic longhair; DSH, domestic shorthair; F, female; M, male; S, spayed.

File # 23em

Intracranial Neoplasia in Cats
A recent report indicated that the most common clinical
signs in dogs with brain tumors are seizures (46%), circling
(23%), and ataxia (21%).28 Many other clinical signs have
been reported and often are related to lesion location.2830
The most common clinical signs in the cats of this study
were altered consciousness (26.2%), circling (22.5%), sei-
zures (22.5%), lethargy (20.0%), and inappetence (18.1%).
Incidental tumors were relatively common (18.8%).
Primary brain tumors (70.6%) were more common than
secondary brain tumors (29.4%). Most common secondary
brain tumors in dogs are local extensions of nasal tumors
or metastases from mammary, prostatic, or pulmonary ad-
enocarcinoma.8 In this study, the most common secondary
brain tumors were lymphoma (14.4%) and pituitary tumors
(8.8%). Metastatic neoplasia was rare, occurring in ,6%
of cats in this study, but the most common metastatic neo-
plasm was pulmonary adenocarcinoma (n 5 3). Other met-
astatic neoplasms included adenocarcinoma, squamous cell
carcinoma, fibrosarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma,
sarcoma, and hemangiosarcoma. Direct extension of nasal
tumors into the cranial vault occurred in 3 cats.
Consistent with previous reports,1,36 meningioma was the
most common tumor type (58.1%) identified in this study.
Multiple meningiomas were seen in 16 cats (17.2%) in this
study and have been reported to occur relatively frequently
in cats.11 Five cats had 4 or more discrete tumors, and 1 cat
had numerous small meningiomas. Lesion location can pre-
dict the presence of meningioma. A supratentorial, extra-
axial mass is likely to be a meningioma because meningi-
oma is the most common brain tumor seen in cats and, by
definition, affects the meninges. Additionally, tumors lo-
cated within the third ventricle were more likely to be me-
ningiomas than any other tumor type (P 5 .0003). In the
cat, meningiomas frequently are associated with the tela
choroidea in the third ventricle, and the tumor subsequently
grows into the third ventricular space.31 Although not sta-
tistically significant, tumors of the parietal lobe might be
more likely to be meningiomas (P 5 .057).
Survival time in cats with meningiomas was significantly
longer with surgical intervention. Median postoperative
survival time in cats with meningioma was 685 days (;23
months) compared to 18 days for cats that were treated
medically. Previous reports indicated similar results.10,14,15
Results of this study are consistent with previous reports
that lymphoma is the second most common neoplasm of
the CNS in cats, occasionally occurs as a primary intracra-
nial neoplasm, and generally is seen in middle-aged to older
cats.3,32 During the study period, 23 cats (14.4%) were di-
agnosed with lymphoma. Approximately 1 in 3 cats were
diagnosed with primary intracranial lymphoma. A mass le-
sion was identified in 3 cats. The most common treatment
modality for cats with lymphoma in this study was systemic
corticosteroids. The median survival time for 9 cats was 21
days. Diffuse cerebral or brainstem disease was signifi-
cantly more likely to indicate lymphoma than other tumor
types.
Concomitant infection with the FeLV or FIV virus did
not appear to be related to intracranial neoplasia because
the incidence of FeLV and FIV was ,4%. FeLV infection
has been associated with spinal lymphoma in cats and was
reported in 33 of 36 cats with spinal lymphoma in 2 re-
File # 23em
857
ports.33,34 FeLV testing was performed in 17 cats with in-
tracranial lymphoma. Three cats (17.6%) were FeLV pos-
itive, each of which was diagnosed with multicentric lym-
phoma.
In humans, a 100-fold increase in the incidence of non-
Hodgkins lymphoma has been reported in patients with
advanced disease associated with the human immunodefi-
ciency virus (HIV).35 Primary CNS lymphoma has been
reported in 26.7% of HIV-positive patients with a neuro-
logical presentation.36 However, there is a correlation be-
tween the presence of Epstein-Barr virus and lymphoma in
HIV patients who are immunocompromised. Other intra-
cranial tumors, including glioblastoma multiforme, epen-
dymoma, low-grade glioma, subependymoma, and leio-
myosarcoma, have been reported in HIV patients who are
immunocompetent and are not infected by the Epstein-Barr
virus.37 In this study, all 12 cats with lymphoma that were
tested for FIV were negative.
Pituitary tumors have been reported as uncommon tu-
mors in the cat,3 but they were the third most common
tumor type identified in this study. Fourteen cats (9.3%)
were diagnosed with pituitary tumors. The cats typically
were older, with a median age of 10.1 years. A male pre-
dilection was observed with a male : female ratio of 3.7 : 1,
but no statistically significant difference between sexes was
found. The most common clinical signs were blindness
(35.7%), altered consciousness (28.6%), lethargy (28.6%),
and anorexia (21.4%). In contrast, the most common clin-
ical signs of pituitary macroadenomas in dogs include stu-
por, lethargy, circling, disorientation, inappetence, ataxia,
pacing, tetraparesis, and head pressing.38 Seizures, aggres-
sion, and visual deficits occur in ,10% of affected dogs.38
Pituitary tumors in cats reportedly are more likely to be
functional endocrine tumors compared to those found in
dogs.39 Associated endocrine diseases were identified in 7
cats (50.0%), including diabetes (n 5 7), hyperadrenocor-
ticism (n 5 2), hypoadrenocorticism (n 5 1), and hyper-
thyroidism (n 5 1). Endocrine disease was suspected, but
not proven, in 2 additional cats. Pituitary tumors were in-
cidental findings in 5 cats.
Several reports of treatment of pituitary tumors exist in
the veterinary literature. The most common treatment mo-
dality is radiation therapy, but transsphenoidal hypophysec-
tomy also has been used successfully.4042 Survival time
after radiotherapy ranged from 5.5 to 20.5 months in 1 re-
port.40 The median survival time for 5 cats in this study
with pituitary tumors that were given palliative corticoste-
roid therapy was 52.5 days. None of the cats with pituitary
tumors in this study were treated by radiation therapy or
surgery.
Gliomas are uncommon primary brain tumors in all do-
mestic animal species,1,2 but Boxers and brachycephalic
breeds appear prone to gliomas.8,4345 To the best of our
knowledge, the veterinary literature contains only 1 report
describing astrocytomas and 2 reports describing oligoden-
drogliomas in the cat.1618 Glial tumors were the 4th most
common tumor type in this study, with an incidence of
7.5%. Six cats had astrocytomas and 6 cats had oligoden-
drogliomas. All of the astrocytomas and most of the glio-
mas (n 5 5) were supratentorial and caused clinical signs
consistent with lesion location in the prosencephalon, in-

858 Troxel et al
cluding circling, seizures, and altered consciousness. As ex-
pected, all of the gliomas were intra-axial. Previous reports
indicate that gliomas often are located within the deeper
structures of the cerebral hemisphere, especially the pyri-
form lobe, diencephalon, and cerebral white matter.43,44
With the exception of 1 cat in which the parietal lobe was
affected, the gliomas in this study were located in the ven-
tral portion of the brain in the deep structures, including
the olfactory bulb, pyriform lobe, temporal lobe, dienceph-
alon, and brainstem.
The cats in this study also had a variety of other intra-
cranial tumors, including ependymoma (n 5 7), choroid
plexus tumor (n 5 1), nasal tumors with direct extension
into the calvaria (n 5 3), olfactory neuroblastoma (n 5 2),
and a variety of metastatic tumors (n 5 9). As with the
other tumor types, these cats generally were middle-aged
or older. Cats with a neuroepithelial tumor (ependymoma
or choroid plexus) were significantly younger (median age
8.2 years) than cats with meningioma. However, no signif-
icant difference in age was observed between cats with neu-
roepithelial tumors and other tumor types. This finding
must be interpreted cautiously because there was a wide
range of ages for all tumor types in this study and small
numbers of cats within each tumor group. Clinical signs
generally reflected lesion location. CSF analysis was sup-
portive for the diagnosis of intracranial neoplasia in most
cases, but CSF analysis did not provide a definitive diag-
nosis. CT or MRI demonstrated the presence of a tumor in
these cases and was highly suggestive of tumor type for 1
nasal tumor that broke through the cribiform plate into the
cranial cavity.
Presumptive diagnosis of intracranial neoplasia in dogs
and cats generally relies on clinical signs, neurological ex-
amination, CSF analysis, and advanced imaging.48 Analy-
sis of cerebrospinal fluid could aid in the diagnosis of in-
tracranial neoplasia, but findings generally are not specific
for neoplasia.4,43,44 Albuminocytologic dissociation has been
reported in dogs with brain tumors, degenerative or de-
myelinating diseases, and cerebral infarction.43,44,46 A ret-
rospective study of 77 dogs with primary brain tumors
found that 39.6% had a CSF pattern consistent with albu-
minocytologic dissociation, 50.4% had a variety of CSF
abnormalities, and 9.4% had CSF results that were within
normal limits.47 Results of CSF analysis from 28 cats in
this study were similarly distributed. Albuminocytologic
dissociation was noted in 8 cats (28.6%). The remaining 20
cats (71.4%) had varied increases in nucleated cell counts.
Median CSF total protein (TP) and nucleated cell count
(NCC) were 38.0 mg/dL (range 16427; reference range
,25 mg/dL) and 5 cells/mL (range 0162; reference range
,5 cells/mL), respectively. Definitive diagnosis of lympho-
ma was made in only 1 cat in which lymphoblasts were
detected in the CSF.
Previous reports have demonstrated the high sensitivity
of MRI and CT in identifying brain tumors.4850 MRI sen-
sitivity in detecting brain tumors in human patients is ap-
proximately 99%.48 In this report, MRI successfully iden-
tified the tumor in 45 of 46 cats. CT successfully identified
the tumor in all 13 cats in which it was performed. Care
must be taken, however, in interpreting the success rate of
MRI and CT with regard to its ability to demonstrate the
File # 23em
presence of an intracranial lesion in this study. Ours was a
retrospective study in which cases were chosen from biopsy
or postmortem examination records in which an intracranial
tumor was known to exist before review of MRI or CT
results. The sensitivity for demonstrating an intracranial le-
sion likely would not have been as great had MRI studies
from all cats with a presumptive diagnosis of structural in-
tracranial disease been evaluated before definitive histolog-
ic diagnosis.
This study characterized the frequency of different tumor
types within a large cohort of cats with intracranial neopla-
sia and examined how signalment, clinical signs, tumor size
and location, and survival time correlated with each tumor.
Improved knowledge of feline brain tumors is important for
accurate antemortem diagnosis. Further elucidation of treat-
ment modalities of feline brain tumors by controlled pro-
spective studies in the future should provide additional in-
formation to assist the veterinarian in selecting treatment
regimens and determining prognosis.
Footnote
a
SAS Statistical Software, Version 8.0, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC
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