References
Feline injection site sarcomas
Abstract
Feline injection site sarcoma (FISS), formerly known as vaccine associated sarcoma (VAS), is a rare but life-threatening disease. The incidence estimates have varied from one case of FISS per 1000–10 000 cats vaccinated in North America and between one per 5000–12 500 vaccination visits in UK. It has been primarily associated with vaccine administration, but several other injectable materials/substances have been implicated as aetiologic agents, namely lufenuron, penicilin, metilprednisolone, meloxicam, non-absorbable suture material and microchip. FISS can have a long latency period (3 months to 13 years), but 8 years old is the average age of onset. FISS are tumours that arise subcutaneously, reaching a variable number of layers beneath the skin (muscle, bone). They are firm, not painful, solid and variable in size. Clinical assessment and biopsy are the basis for FISS diagnosis. In order to prevent FISS, vaccination should be carefully planned and be provided in easily resectable regions. Hind legs, tail and flanks, are preferable regions for vaccine administration.
Feline injection site sarcomas (FISS) are tumours which arise in the site of injection in cats (Kliczkowska et al, 2015). Formerly they were known as vaccine associated sarcomas, given their association with vaccine administration. The link between vaccination and fibrosarcoma in cats was suggested for the first time in 1991 (Hendrick and Goldschmidt, 1991).
FISS are rare but aggressive tumours. They are locally invasive, with rapid growth. Necrosis and ulceration are commonly observed (Kang et al, 2016). Metastasis occurs in up to 28% of cases, with regional lymph nodes and lungs as the most commonly reported sites (Kang et al, 2016).
The latency period of FISS can be variable, ranging from 3 months to 10 years (McEntee and Page, 2001; Séguin, 2002). Such a large range of time can make it difficult to determine the true incidence of FISS (McEntee and Page, 2001; Martano et al, 2011). One recent epidemiologic study that evaluated only sarcomas associated with vaccine administration, determined the incidence of post-vaccination injection site sarcoma to be 0.63 sarcoma cases/10000 cats vaccinated and 0.32 sarcoma cases/10000 doses of all vaccines administered (Bowlt, 2015).
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting The Veterinary Nurse and reading some of our peer-reviewed content for veterinary professionals. To continue reading this article, please register today.