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 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.
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Your
veterinarian will have a better chance to control or cure your pet's
cancer if it is detected early. |
10 Common Signs of Cancer
in Small Animals
1. Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow.
2. Sores that do not heal.
3. Weight loss.
4. Loss of appetite.
5. Bleeding or discharge from any body opening.
6. Offensive odor.
7. Difficulty eating or swallowing.
8. Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina.
9. Persistent lameness or stiffness.
10. Difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecating.
This
brochure was developed by the American Medical Veterinary Association with
assistance from the Veterinary Cancer Society.
Click Here To Access The A.V.M.A. Web Site
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