Entries Tagged 'Dog Cancer' ↓

The symptoms of melanoma in dogs depend on the location of tumor.

Melanoma on the skin:
- Some tumors appear as dark or pigmented raised masses while others may be non-pigmented.

Oral melanoma:
- bad breath
- drooling
- difficulty eating
- bleeding from the mouth
- facial swelling
- loss of appetite

Melanoma on the toe or toenail:
- swollen toe
- lameness

Diagnosis of Melanoma in Dogs

Fine needle aspirate of tumor – To collect tumor cells for examination under a microscope. This is a quick way for diagnosing melanoma in dogs.

Fine needle aspirate of lymph nodes – The presence of tumor cells in lymph nodes indicates metastasis has occurred.

Biopsy of tumor – This provides a definitive diagnosis of melanoma in dogs.

X-rays of chest – To check for metastasis to lungs.

Abdominal ultrasound – To check for metastasis to the abdomen (kidneys, liver)

Blood test

Melanoma in dogs is a tumor of melanocytes (pigmented cells).

There are 2 types of melanoma in dogs:

- benign melanomas tend to develop on the skin and do not spread.
- malignant melanomas in dogs are found in the mouth, on the toe or toenail. These are highly aggressive tumors that spread to lungs, liver, kidney, lymph nodes and other parts of the body.

Melanoma that forms in the mouth is known as canine oral  melanoma.

As a pet owner, knowing the symptoms of melanoma and bringing your dog for regular checkups can help in early detection of the disease.

Here are the signs of melanoma to look out for –> Symptoms of Melanoma in Dogs

A study was conducted on the safety and effectiveness of Palladia for treating mast cell tumors in dogs (grade 2 or 3).

Results:
For dogs that received Palladia, the objective response rate was 42%. This means that mast cell tumors disappeared or shrank in 42% of the dogs that were given Palladia.

For how long?

The median duration of objective response was 12.0 weeks – 18 weeks. That is, Palladia’s effect lasted for 3 – 4.5 months.

(source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19470739)

Palladia is the first drug to be approved by The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of cancer in dogs. It is used for treating cutaneous (skin) mast cell tumors in dogs, with or without regional lymph node involvement.

“This cancer drug approval for dogs is an important step forward for veterinary medicine,” said Bernadette Dunham, D.V.M., Ph.D., director of FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine. “Prior to this approval, veterinarians had to rely on human oncology drugs, without knowledge of how safe or effective they would be for dogs. ”

How does Palladia work against mass cell tumor in dogs?

Palladia is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor drug that works by:
- killing tumor cells
- cutting off the blood supply to the tumor.

It should be given orally to your dog or hidden inside a treat.

Possible side effects of Palladia:

Common side effects include:

- diarrhea
- reduced/loss of appetitie
- lameness
- weight loss
- blood in stool

Stop palladia and contact your vet if you notice the following changes in your dog:

- refusal to eat
- vomiting or watery stools (diarrhea), especially if more frequent than twice in 24 hours
- black tarry stools
- bright red blood in vomit or stools
- unexplained bruising or bleeding
- if your dog experiences other changes that concern you

source:
http://palladia-pi.com/Palladia_PI.pdf
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm164118.htm

Dog Lymphoma Treatment: Chemotherapy

The primary canine lymphoma treatment is chemotherapy.

A combination of drugs (multi-agent chemotherapy) or a single drug (single agent chemotherapy) may be used.

Multi-agent chemotherapy:

• more effective than single agent chemotherapy in increasing quality of life and survival time
• more toxic due to the number of drugs used
• costly

Single agent chemotherapy:

• cheaper
• less toxic

There are numerous multi-agent and single agent chemotherapy protocols that vary in toxicity, cost and efficacy.  A veterinary oncologist can recommend a protocol that is suitable for your dog.

While most dogs treated with chemotherapy experience remission, they will eventually have relapses. Repeated chemotherapy is necessary to induce further remission.

Dog Lymphoma Treatment: Prednisone

Prednisone is an oral corticosteroid used to relieve symptoms of lymphoma in dogs and make them feel more comfortable. It does not extend a dog’s life. It is less costly than multi-agent chemotherapy but not as effective.

For pet owners who can’t afford chemotherapy, prednisone is an alternative canine lymphoma treatment option.

K9  Immunity

You may want to provide your dog with an immune enhancement supplement such as K9 Immunity. This is a safe, natural and organic supplement that works by activating the immune system to recognise and destroy cancer cells. K9 Immunity is an immune modulation therapy that should be used with conventional treatment for best results.

Click here to discover more about K9 Immunity can help with lymphoma in dogs

Prognosis for lymphoma in dogs

Prognosis depends on the stage and type of dog lymphoma tumor.

Untreated dogs have an average lifespan of 4-6 weeks.

Dogs treated with:

- prednisone usually live for 1-3 months.

- chemotherapy 6-12 months.

Lymphoma (lymphosarcoma) in dogs is a cancer of lymphocytes.

Lymphocytes are white blood cells that play important roles in the immune system. They defend the body from pathogens (infectious agents) and foreign substances.

Types and Symptoms of Lymphoma in Dogs

Lymphoma can develop on any part of the body. The general symptoms of lymphoma in dogs are loss of appetite,
lethargy, weight loss and weakness.

Other specific symptoms depend on where the tumor develops.

Lymphoma in dogs can be divided into 4 main types, based on the location of tumor:

1. Multicentric lymphoma

This accounts for about 80% of lymphoma in dogs.
Location: lymph nodes.
Symptoms: Enlarged lymph node(s) appearing as lump(s). Initially, dogs may experience no pain or minor symptoms.  As the tumor grows, it may cause obstruction and damage organ function. Malignant tumor may spread to other organs. Dogs will fall ill and show some of the general symptoms as mentioned above.

2. Gastrointestinal lymphoma

Location: intestinal tract.
Symptoms: vomiting, loss of weight, reduced appetite and diarrhea and abdominal pain

3. Mediastinal lymphoma

Location: chest
Symptoms: breathing difficulty, excessive fluid intake and urination

4. Extranodal lymphoma

Location: skin, kidney, nervous system, eyes, lungs, bone marrow, etc
Cutaneous (skin) lymphoma symptoms: bumps, redness, lesions and itchiness.

See this post on Dog Lymphoma Treatment

Mast cell tumor in dogs – on the side
By Joel Mills [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], from Wikimedia Commons

Mast cell tumor in dogs – inner thigh
By Joel Mills (Own work) [ CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons

Mast cell tumor in dogs – on the lip
By Joel Mills [ CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], from Wikimedia Commons

Mast cell tumor in dogs – toe
By Joel Mills (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons

See also Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs: Symptoms, Treatment and Prognosis

What are mast cells?

Mast cells are immune system cells usually found in the skin, gastrointestinal tract and respiratory tract.

They release bioactive substances such as histamine, heparin, prostaglandins and proteolytic enzymes as part of the body’s defense mechanism. The chemicals cause symptoms of allergic reaction: itchiness, swelling, inflammation and increased gastric acid production.

Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs

Mast cell tumors in dogs usually develop on the skin, thereby accounting for about 20% of canine skin tumors. They can also occur in the intestines, spleen, liver or wherever mast cells exist.

Mast cell tumors are more prevalent in certain breeds of dogs. They include boxer, English Bulldog, Boston Terrier, Shar Pei, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Pug, Schnauzer and Cocker spaniel. Mast cell tumors tend to affect older than younger dogs.

Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs Symptoms

Mast cell tumors of the skin can occur on the trunk, limbs and head. They can appear as single or multiple raised lumps or lesions.

Other symptoms arise from unregulated release of bioactive substances as a result of tumors that develop in mast cells. They include gastrointestinal ulcer, blood clotting problems, vomiting blood, loss of appetite, blood in stool, bruising, lethargy, diarrhea and pain in the abdomen.

When the lump is touched or pressed, it may become irritated, swollen and itchy due to histamine released by mast cells.

Diagnosis of Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs

A fine needle aspiration determines the existence of mast cell tumor. This involves collecting tumor cells with a needle and examining them under a microscope.

Mast Cell Tumor Grades and Stages

Grading and staging are carried out during a biopsy of surgically removed mast cell tumor. The grade and stage of tumor are important for ascertaining the need for further treatment and prognosis.

Grading indicates the malignant characteristics of tumor.

Grade 1: localised and tend not to spread
Grade 2: fairly malignant
Grade 3: highly invasive and aggressive

Staging measures the extent of tumor spread. The stages range from 0 (1 tumor in the skin, no metastasis) to 4 (single or multiple tumors in the skin that have spread, lymph node involvement)

Treatment of Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs

The main treatment for mast cell tumor in dogs is surgery. In addition to the tumor, a large margin of healthy tissues surrounding the tumor must be removed to ensure no cancerous cells are left behind. Most grade 1 and 2 tumors can be treated with surgery effectively.

If the tumor is not completely excised, another surgery is recommended to remove remaining cancerous mast cells and additional healthy tissues.

Radiation is used if a second surgery is not possible due to insufficient margin of healthy tissues around the tumor or for recurrent tumors.

Radiation therapy is most helpful when mast cell tumors have not metastasised.

Chemotherapy may be used for treating mast cell tumors (grade 2 and 3) that have spread, are inoperable or recurrent tumors.

Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs Prognosis

Prognosis is determined by tumor:

- grade and stage
- location
- growth rate

Grade 1, stage 1 tumor has the best prognosis.

Poor prognosis:
- higher grade and stage tumor
- tumor on muzzle, mouth, genital region, nail bed, bone marrow, internal organs
- tumor with recent, rapid growth rate is likely to be malignant
- recurring tumor after removal by surgery

The ONCEPT canine melanoma vaccine is the first therapeutic vaccine for cancer treatment to receive full license approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

This vaccine was developed by the joint efforts of Merial, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and The Animal Medical Center (AMC) of New York.

Canine melanoma vaccine is used for treating melanoma in dogs, and not preventing cancer (although the term ‘vaccine’ usually means disease prevention).

Canine melanoma that occurs in the mouth, eye, nail and footpad is highly malignant. It is an aggressive skin cancer that tends to spread rapidly to other parts of the body. Canine melanoma may form lumps or masses that are brown or black in colour. By the time melanoma in dogs is been diagnosed, the cancer is likely to have metastasized.

To date, the conventional treatment for canine melanoma is surgery and radiation.

“Canine melanoma spreads readily, and, unfortunately, existing treatments have not succeeded in controlling the disease,” said Dr. Bob Menardi, a veterinarian and spokesperson for Merial. “ONCEPT is a new adjunct treatment option for dogs that have been diagnosed with this often fatal disease.”

In the initial clinical studies of ONCEPT canine melanoma vaccine, the average survival time for dogs with stages 2-4 melanoma was 389 days. This is a significant increase in survival when compared to the average survival time of 3-6 months under conventional treatment.

Do you have a dog that has melanoma? Can your dog be treated this vaccine? Consult with a vet oncologist for advice.

The canine melanoma vaccine is available to veterinary oncologists. Go to Veterinary Cancer Society – http://www.vetcancersociety.org – to find the nearest veterinary oncologist.

If you consider microchipping your dog so you can locate it in case it gets lost or because the law requires you to do so, you may be doing it more HARM than good.

Here are some true stories of dogs that developed cancer after being implanted with microchips…

Seamus, a 5-year old bullmastiff, developed a tumor (hemangiosarcoma) around 2 microchips implanted in between the shoulder blades in Sep 2009. Three months after the tumor was removed, the cancer returned. He was eventually put to sleep in Feb 2010.

The owner wanted to prevent Seamus was from being stolen, so he thought he did the right thing by giving him the microchip implant. Little did he know that it was a death sentence for his dog.

Read more about: Seamus killed by pet microchip.

Scotty, a 5-year old Yorkshire terrier, also developed a tumor (malignant lymphoma) between his shoulder blades where the microchip was implanted. He was given 1 year to live.

Leon, a 9-year old french bulldog, was diagnosed with fibrosarcoma at the site of the microchip implant in April 2004 and eventually died. Here’s a memorial website dedicated to: Leon and sharing the real TRUTH about pet microchips and vaccines.

Several studies have clearly shown the link between microchip implants and cancer in laboratory animals and dogs.
Dr Katherine Albrecht discusses the literature published in toxicology and pathology journals showing a causal link between implanted radiofrequency (RFID) microchip transponders and cancer in laboratory rodents and dogs in “Microchip-Induced Tumors in Laboratory Rodents and Dogs: A Review of the Literature 1990–2006″

I strongly encourage you to check out the FAQs on microchip implants for pets and human posted by Dr Albrecht. Discover how microchips cause cancer and how a leading microchip manufacturer lied and misled the public, causing unnecessary deaths.