What You Should Know About Cancer In Animals
July 2004
What is Cancer?
Cancer is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells on or within the body. Cancer
may be benign or malignant. It may be localized or it may invade adjacent
tissue and spread throughout the body.
How Common is Cancer?
Cancer is common in pet animals and the incidence increases with
age. Cancer accounts for almost half of the deaths of pets over 10
years of age. Dogs get cancer at roughly the same rate as humans, while
cats get fewer cancers.
How is it Diagnosed?
Strong circumstantial evidence of cancer can be attained from
x-rays, blood tests, ultrasonography, the pet's physical examination
and medical history. Most cancers, however, will require a biopsy (a
removal of a piece of tissue) for confirmation that cancer exists and
to grade the level of severity from benign to aggressively malignant.
Is Cancer Preventable?
Unfortunately, the cause of most cancers is not known and,
therefore, prevention is difficult. Early detection and treatment are
the best ways to manage cancer in pets.
Common Types of Cancer in Pets
Skin - Skin tumors are very common in older dogs, but much
less common in cats. Most skin tumors in cats are malignant, but in
dogs they are often benign. Your veterinarian should examine all skin
tumors in a dog or cat to determine if any are malignant.
Breast - 50% of all breast tumors in dogs and greater than
85% of all breast tumors in cats are malignant. Spaying your female pet
between 6 and 12 months of age will greatly reduce the risk of breast
cancer. Surgery is the treatment of choice for this type of cancer.
Follow up treatment may be recommended.
Head & Neck - Cancer of the mouth is common in dogs and
less common in cats. Signs to watch for are a mass on the gums,
bleeding, odor, or difficulty eating. Since many swellings are
malignant, early, aggressive treatment is essential. Cancer may also
develop inside the nose of both cats and dogs. Bleeding from the nose,
breathing difficulty, or facial swelling are symptoms that may indicate
cancer and should be checked by your veterinarian.
Lymphoma - Lymphoma is a common form of cancer in dogs and
cats. It is characterized by enlargement of one or many lymph nodes in
the body. A contagious feline leukemia virus can be the cause of
lymphoma in some cats. Chemotherapy is frequently effective in
controlling this type of cancer.
Feline Leukemia Complex - The feline leukemia virus is
contagious among cats and will occasionally cause different types of
cancer. It is not contagious to humans. While a great deal of research
is ongoing, no consistently effective treatment is presently available
for virus-positive cats.
Testicles - Testicular tumors are rare in cats and common
in dogs, especially those with retained testes. Most of these cancers
are preventable with castration (neutering) and curable with surgery if
done early in the disease process.
Abdominal Tumors - Tumors inside the abdomen are common but
it is difficult to make an early diagnosis. Weight loss or abdominal
enlargement are signs of these tumors.
Bone - Bone tumors are most often seen in large breed dogs
and rarely in cats. The leg bones, near joints, are the most common
sites. Persistent pain, lameness, and swelling in the affected area are
common symptoms of the disease.
Many of the above signs are also seen with noncancerous conditions
but they still warrant prompt attention by a veterinarian to determine
the cause. Cancer is frequently treatable and early diagnosis will aid
your veterinarian in delivering the best care possible.
How is Cancer Treated?
Each type of cancer requires individual care and may include a
combination of treatment therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy,
radiation, cryosurgery (freezing), hyperthermia (heating) or
immunotherapy. Once you have a diagnosis, your veterinarian will
discuss the best treatment option(s) for your pet. In some instances,
your veterinarian may refer you to a board-certified oncologist (cancer
specialist) depending upon the recommended course of treatment.
What is the Success Rate?
This strongly depends upon the type and extent of the cancer, as
well as the aggressiveness of therapy. Some cancers can be cured and
almost all patients can be helped to some degree.
Your veterinarian will have a better
chance to control or cure your pet's cancer if it is detected early. |
This brochure was developed with assistance from the Veterinary Cancer Society. 10 Common Signs of Cancer in Small Animals
- Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow
- Sores that do not heal
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Bleeding or discharge from any body opening
- Offensive odor
- Difficulty eating or swallowing
- Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina
- Persistent lameness or stiffness
- Difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecating
Resources for More Information
American Veterinary Medical Association
www.avma.org
American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
www.acvim.org
Veterinary Cancer Society
www.vetcancersociety.org
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This information has been prepared as a service by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Article Source: http://www.mydogplace.com/dog-content/dog-health-series/cancer-in-dogs-article.html
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