Mastocytoma in cats – Integrative literature review

Feline mastocytoma is a round cell neoplasm with variable biological behaviour, characterized by the abnormal proliferation of mast cells, developing in the cutaneous, visceral or intestinal form. The aim was to carry out an integrative literature review on the aetiopathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment of mastocytoma in cats. The databases Periódicos Capes, Google Scholar, PubMed and ScienceDirect were used. The following terms were combined: ‘mast cell’ AND ‘feline or cat’ AND ‘mast cell tumours’ AND ‘cutaneous OR skin mast cell tumours OR spleen OR gastrointestinal OR visceral’, using the specific search form of each platform. Case reports, scientific articles and literature reviews were selected, which were freely accessible, published between 2002 and 2022, in Portuguese or English, and which portrayed the occurrence of mastocytoma in cats. Articles in other languages, dealing with other species, encyclopaedias, event proceedings and publications with access restrictions were excluded. The findings showed that mastocytoma is a frequent neoplasm in cats, commonly presenting as solitary cutaneous masses with a favourable prognosis. However, some cutaneous nodules may be associated with visceral tumours, with an unfavourable prognosis, as well as intestinal mastocytomas, due to their infiltrative nature and high metastatic potential, thus affecting the survival and well-being of these animals. There is a lack of data in the literature on this neoplasm in cats, especially in Brazil. It is therefore important to carry out further studies on the subject, with a view to improving diagnosis and treatment.