|
 |
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. The first
step to preventing cancer is awareness and early
detection. The National Canine Cancer Foundation
and members of the Scientific Advisory Board has
put together the following information on Cancer.
The 10 early warning signs
Lymphoma
Osteosarcoma
Melanoma
Hemangiosarcoma
Common Chemotherapy Side Effects
Nothing in this section is pleasant, but they
are the facts of Cancer. However, the Foundation
wants you to understand that this is a pivotal
time in cancer research for dogs.
The entire genome of the dog has been mapped;
this is going to open up new research and new
ways of thinking. Researchers believe the time
is near and if we would have the 100’s of
millions to fund canine cancer research, the facts
of Cancer listed about will drastically change.
And we can raise a 100 million and more! With
43 million dogs owners, that is $10.00 a year.
Please don’t wait another moment. Donation
today to the National Canine Cancer Foundation
where we believe “if we all work together,
WE ARE THE CURE, for cancer in
dogs.” |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lymphoma
Lymphoma is one of the most common cancers seen in dogs. In fact,
we estimate that lymphoma occurs about 2 to 5 times as frequently
in dogs than in people. Although there are breeds that appear to
be at increased risk for this disease, lymphoma can affect any dog
of any breed at any age. It accounts for approximately 20% of all
canine tumors, and less than 80% of cancers originating from blood
cells.
Most of the time, lymphoma appears as “swollen glands”
(lymph nodes) that can be seen or felt under the neck, in front
of the shoulders, or behind the knee. Occasionally, lymphoma can
affect lymph nodes that are not visible or palpable from outside
the body, such as those inside the chest or in the abdomen. In these
cases, dogs may accumulate fluid in the chest that makes breathing
difficult, or they may have digestive problems (diarrhea, vomiting,
or painful abdomen). If left untreated, dogs with lymphoma will
generally succumb to the disease within 3 to 4 weeks.
Treatment with prednisone (a corticosteroid) alone generally can
induce short-lived remissions (usually less than 8 to 12 weeks),
but frequently renders the disease resistant to further treatment.
Durable remissions are achievable in lymphoma, so the disease is
considered “treatable.”
Multi-agent chemotherapy consisting of L-asparaginase, vincristine,
cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone, which is the standard-of-care
for this disease, will induce remissions of 12 to 18 months in many
cases. However, there are various subtypes of lymphoma that exhibit
different behaviors, and some of the more aggressive types are unresponsive
to any available treatment.
|
