Periocular cutaneous mast cell tumors in cats: evaluation of surgical excision (33 cases).

[cutaneous mastocytosis]

To describe feline periocular cutaneous mast cell tumor (CMCT ) clinical features , rates of local tumor recurrence and metastases , and cat survival time following surgical excision .Thirty -three cats with periocular CMCTs .Medical records of cats diagnosed with periocular CMCTs were reviewed ; cats were included if CMCTs were surgically excised and the diagnosis confirmed by histopathology . The appearance , size , location and histopathology findings of CMCTs were recorded . Rates of local recurrence , metastasis , and survival time following surgical excision were collected when available .All periocular CMCTs were restricted to the eyelids . In addition to surgical excision , three cats were treated with adjunctive therapy (strontium-90 irradiation or cryotherapy ) intraoperatively . Local tumor control was achieved in 22 /23 cats with a minimum follow-up of 30 days (median follow-up time of 711 days ); one cat developed disseminated CMCTs but no local recurrence . Cats with periocular CMCTs had a median survival time of 945 days . Metastatic disease involving peripheral lymph nodes or abdominal viscera was not detected in any cat at any time during the study . All periocular CMCTs were classified as low -grade based on histopathology , and complete excision was achieved in approximately 50 % of cases .Surgical excision of periocular CMCTs in cats is an effective treatment option with rare local recurrence and metastases , even following incomplete surgical excision .