Pancreatic adenocarcinoma in a feline: case report

Abstract

The case presented illustrates the severity of pancreatic adenocarcinoma in cats, a rare neoplasm with rapid progression and difficult diagnosis. The patient initially showed nonspecific signs such as hyporexia, weight loss, and behavioral changes, which could suggest inflammatory or gastrointestinal diseases. Laboratory and imaging exams revealed hepatic, renal, and intestinal alterations but did not immediately determine the nature of the condition. Clinical progression was marked by anemia, abdominal pain, subclinical jaundice, and multisystemic failure. Despite supportive attempts with corticosteroids, antiemetics, analgesics, and antibiotics, the response was only palliative, without impact on the neoplasm. Environmental stress and changes in routine also compromised quality of life, reinforcing the importance of behavioral management. The definitive diagnosis, confirmed only through necropsy and histopathology, revealed a poorly differentiated pancreatic adenocarcinoma with widespread metastasis involving the liver, peritoneum, diaphragm, and lymph nodes. The fatal outcome demonstrates the aggressiveness of the disease and highlights the therapeutic limitations in feline pancreatic tumors. This report underscores the need for clinical suspicion in the face of persistent nonspecific signs and emphasizes the relevance of palliative care, which, even without altering disease progression, ensures comfort and dignity for the patient until the end.