Cancer is one of the most feared — and most expensive — diseases in cats. A course of chemotherapy costs between €800 and €3,000, surgery to remove a tumour between €300 and €3,500, and radiotherapy can run to several thousand. Here is what cancers cats get, what treating them costs, and how a policy that reimburses 100% covers it.
What cancers are common in cats?
The most common is feline lymphoma, which tends to affect the digestive tract, lymph nodes or bone marrow. It responds well to chemotherapy, but treatment usually goes on for a long time. Also common are mammary tumours (often malignant in female cats) and fibrosarcoma. Warning signs: lumps, weight loss, loss of appetite, vomiting or wounds that will not heal.
How much does it cost to treat cancer in a cat?
| Treatment | Indicative cost in Spain |
|---|---|
| Chemotherapy (per session) | €100 – €300 |
| Chemotherapy (full course) | €800 – €3,000 |
| Surgery to remove the tumour | €300 – €3,500 |
| Radiotherapy (full treatment) | €2,000 – €8,000 |
| Biopsy, diagnosis, hospitalisation and sedation | additional cost depending on the case |
Indicative prices; they vary by tumour type, number of sessions, drugs and clinic.
Why is it so expensive?
Because cancer is not treated in a single visit: it involves diagnosis (biopsy, imaging), several chemotherapy or radiotherapy sessions, surgery and monitoring, often at specialist oncology centres and with hospitalisation. In conditions like lymphoma, treatment goes on for a long time, so the cost adds up over months.
How Petplan covers it
Petplan reimburses 100% of the bill up to €3,100/year, at any vet, with a €45 co-pay. You get 100% of each covered bill back up to that limit — and since many cancer treatments (lymphoma, for example) run over time, the limit renews each year. Remember: pre-existing conditions are excluded by every company, so it pays to insure your cat while it is healthy.
FAQ
How much does it cost to treat cancer in a cat?
It depends on the treatment: chemotherapy is around €800–3,000 per course, surgery €300–3,500 and radiotherapy €2,000–8,000.
Can cat cancer be treated or cured?
Many cases are treated and controlled well; lymphoma, the most common, responds to chemotherapy, though treatment usually goes on for a while.
Does insurance cover cancer?
Yes, if it is not pre-existing and you keep the policy. With Petplan you get back 100% of the bill up to €3,100/year, and the limit renews each year.
What is the most expensive part?
Radiotherapy and long chemotherapy courses, along with diagnosis and hospitalisation.
Indicative prices in Spain (no official scale) updated for 2026; they vary by tumour type, sessions and clinic. Petplan Spain cover. More in the best cat insurance. Sources: veterinary oncology hospitals and guides (AniCura, Santévet, Gattos).
