A crusty cat cancer cure

Q My 15-year-old cat has a crusty nose.

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My vet has diagnosed skin cancer but suggests referral for this, with more options for successful treatment. Do you have experience of this and what are the possible options?

A The most common nasal cancer in cats is squamous cell carcinoma. It appears as a non-healing crust, slow growing, often erosive, and caused by exposure to the sun. In cats it almost invariably occurs in white skin, which doesn't offer much protection from rays.

There are three parts of the body where I have seen this problem. These are the tips of the ears (pinna), lower eyelids and the tip of the nose, all areas where the rays are particularly strong.

Although a malignant cancer, squamous cell carcinoma has one redeeming feature - it is slow to spread. Therefore, early detection and treatment have the best chance of a cure.