Canine Cancer

" Canine cancer is the result of cell growth which is uncontrolled and that serves no purpose. Cancer in dos is also referred to as a neoplasia, tumor and malignancy. Any body tissue can develop cancer. Cancer either originates at a site, which is called primary cancer or spreads from another area, which is called secondary cancer.  Cancer spreads in the body through the blood or the lymph system. Once a cancer starts to spread it becomes increasingly more difficult to treat (called cancer that has metastisized). Treatment for specific types of cancer in dogs can be found by clicking on the links below." 

Hearing that your dog has canine cancer does not mean the end of its life. Like cancer treatment in people, there are now many options for treating your pet. In general, treatments tend to be more effective and have fewer side effects. Cancer is seen in about 1,100 of every 100,000 dogs and is treated by a veterinary oncologist.

Cancer is often referred to as a tumor, which is any sort of lump of bump. Tumors that grow are called neoplasms. There are two types of tumors:

• Benign: Tumors that grow slowly and don’t spread to other parts of the body are considered benign as they have not metastasized or spread. A benign tumor is treated with surgery.
• Malignant: These tumors are the same as cancer and are also called carcinomas, sarcomas and lymphomas depending on where the cancer is on the body. As the cancer spreads from one part of the body to another, it can enter the lymph nodes or circulatory system. The spread is called metastasizing.
  

Canine Cancer Information on This Page

• What is Canine Cancer?
• High Risk Breeds
• Symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Tests

Quick Links to Detailed Information on Canine Cancer

Alternative Treatment Options - Leukemia and Other Cancers

Types of Canine Cancer and Tumors

Canine Anal Gland Tumors
Bladder Cancer for Dog
Canine Bone Cancer
Benign Canine Bone Tumors
Chondrosarcoma
Osteosarcoma
Canine Breast Cancer
Canine Intestinal Cancer
Canine Kidney Cancer
Canine Leukemia
Liver Tumor Dog
Lumps and Bumps on Skin
Canine Lymphoma
Canine Lyphosarcoma
Canine Mammary Cancer
Multiple Myeloma
Canine Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer in Dogs
Canine Skin Cancer
Canine Spleen Cancer
Canine Stomach Cancer
Thyroid Cancer in Dog

What is Canine Cancer?

In a normal dog cells are constantly dieing and being replaced. In a dog with cancer, something is wrong with the replacement cells (called mutant cells). These mutant cells reproduce quickly and form into large groupings. Since these cells are mutant, they cannot provide the same function as the healthy cells they replaced. If these cells or cancer grows, it eventually replaces healthy tissue and causes the dog to die.

High Risk Breeds for Cancer

• Basset Hound – Trichoepithelioma

• Kerry Blue Terrier – Pilomaticoma

• Cocker Spaniel – Ceruminous Adenoma

• English Cocker Spaniel – Anal sac gland carcinoma

• Giant Schnauzer and Gordon Settler – Subungual squamous cell carcinoma

• Scottish Terrier – Subungual malignant melanoma

• Vizsla and Miniature Schnauzer – melanocytoma

• Shetland Sheepdog – liposarcoma

• Boxer and Pug – Mast Cell Tumor

• Cocker Spaniel – Cutaneous Plasmacytoma

Canine Cancer Symptoms

There are eight early warning signs or dog cancer symptoms:

• Unusual swelling that continues to grow
• Sores that do not heal
• Weight Loss
• Bleeding or discharge from any body opening
• Reluctance to move
• Loss of energy
• Difficulty breathing, urinating or making a bowel movement
• Sleeping more than usual

Cancer Symptoms Requiring Emergency Treatment

• Your dog has collapsed

• Bleeding after receiving chemotherapy

• Loss of appetite while undergoing treatment

Canine Cancer Symptoms Requiring a Call or visit to your Veterinarian

• Skin – Sores, bumps, lumps
  
• Leg – Large breed with swelling or a limp
  
• Seizure - In older dog that has a seizure (uncontrolled shaking) for the first time
  
• Nose – blood coming from the nose
  
• Mouth – Lump, bump or growth
  
• Breast – lump or swelling

Diagnosis of Canine Cancer

Determining if your dog has cancer usually requires more than blood tests or x-rays. Your Veterinarian will need to take a sample of the area in question (a biopsy) and send it to a laboratory to test for the presence of cancer. Cancer cannot be diagnosed visually since an examination of individual cells is necessary. If cancer cells are found (called malignant), your entire dog will need to be examined since many types of cancer can spread.

Testing will help the veterinarian classify the stage of development the tumor is in.  Each stage is associated with a specific treatment protocol or plan and indicates a dog's prognosis (course and outcome of the disease).

Tests for Canine Cancer

Even with the advanced canine cancer tests listed below, it is still possible to miss a small tumor.

• Biopsy – The removal of a small sample or an attempt to completely remove a cancerous mass. The biopsy is sent to a lab for analysis. A veterinarian may remove an entire lymph node to see if cancer has spread or if cancer of the lymph nodes exists.
• Fine-needle Aspiration (FNA) – Like a biopsy, but instead of surgery, a needle is used to extract cancerous cells for testing.
• Blood Tests – There is no blood test for cancer. Changes in the composition of blood could indicate problems such as low red blood cells, high white blood cells or changes in kidney and liver function.  These test are called a chemistry profile and blood count.
  
• X-Ray – An x-ray will detect tumors in the lungs, chest or bones.
  
• Ultrasound – The best technique for detecting tumors in the abdomen. A biopsy would be needed to confirm any findings.
• Endoscopy – A video camera on a thin tube that is inserted into the mouth or nose to look for tumors. Used to examine the colon, bronchi and stomach. 
• Surgery – To examine any area in question.
• CT/MRI Scans – Best technique for detecting tumors that are near bone are unable to be seen by X-rays. 
• Urinalysis - to check urine components
• Bone Marrow Aspirate - the removal and testing of bone marrow
• Lymph Node Aspirate - the removal of lymph node fluid
• Immunologic Studies - testing immune response

Canine Cancer Treatment

If a tumor has spread (metastisized) in most cases a cure is not possible.  In these cases the purpose of dog cancer treatment is to focus on maintaining a dog's quality  of life (this is called palliation).

Tumors that have not spread (referred to as being localized) have the best prospects for being cured. Treatment usually involves some combination or single use of immunotherapy (improving the immune system), surgery, chemotherapy or radiation.

If a therapy is not available, then some dogs can be enrolled in a testing trial at a veterinary college.  A list of universities that are conducing canine cancer trials can be found at the Worldwide Association for Professionals in Veterinary Oncology.

Should You Treat a Dog with Cancer

Cancer therapy can require a big commitment from an owner including multiple trips to the veterinarian and related costs.  These are decisions that can only be made by a owner.  If you decide to not treat the cancer, the focusing on care using alternatives and conventional approaches to keeping a dog free of pain may be the best approach.  For example, products natural remedies such as C-Caps contain antioxidants which help to strengthen healthy cells and boost a dogs immune system.  Again, these types of approaches are considered to be supportive vs. a specific cure.

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References:

Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine

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