Challenges in Differentiating Chronic Enteropathy from Low-Grade Gastrointestinal T-cell Lymphoma in Cats

Chronic enteropathies (CEs) are common diseases, particularly in elderly cats. The differentiation between CE and low-grade gastrointestinal T-cell lymphoma (LGITL) remains challenging. The end diagnosis is reached by combining clinical signs with gastrointestinal tract sampling for histology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular testing. There is currently a lack of international guidelines on molecular testing, with variable results depending on the laboratory used. The clinician needs to keep this in mind when requesting and interpreting a test. Although LGITL is neoplastic, the progression is slow, and most cats can be stabilized for 2 years or more with a combination of prednisolone and chlorambucil.