Cancer is a terrible disease that will change color when everyone talks about it. Like humans, our dogs can get cancer. Of these, lymphoma is one of the most common types of cancer affecting dogs. Learning more about lymphoma can help pet caregivers quickly identify symptoms and effectively give dogs the help they need. Diagnosing cancer is never easy, so let’s learn about lymphoma together!
What is lymphoma?
Canine lymphoma is a broad term that refers to any cancer that affects lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. In fact, there are many different types of lymphoma in dogs, generally classified according to the area of the body that is primarily affected. Lymphocytes are an important part of the immune system, so lymphocytes can be found anywhere in the body, and when large numbers gather in one place, they form lymph nodes, spleen, and tonsils. Because lymphocytes are found throughout the body, lymphomas can develop in multiple parts of the body.
type of lymphoma
There are different forms of this type of cancer, and they are named based on the area or organ they affect. The most common type of canine lymphoma is multicentric lymphoma, which accounts for 80% of lymphoma cases. Multicentric means that there are multiple centers, and this lymphoma usually involves multiple lymph nodes and may also affect the spleen, liver, and bone marrow. Lymphomas also commonly originate in organs of the immune system, such as the spleen and bone marrow. Other canine lymphomas can affect the skin, stomach, intestines, and chest organs such as the thymus.
Symptoms of Lymphoma in Dogs
Symptoms of Lymphoma
The type of symptoms depends to some extent on the location and stage of the lymphoma.
The type of symptoms depends to some extent on the location of the lymphoma. The most common initial symptoms are swollen, hard, painless lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are a very important part of the immune system, producing cells that help the body fight infections and protect the body.
The most common initial symptoms are swollen, hard, painless lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are a very important part of the immune system, producing cells that help the body fight infection and produce protection against disease.
Symptoms of lymphoma in dogs are: swollen lymph nodes, increased urination and drinking, vomiting, diarrhea/dark tar stool, cough, loss of appetite, nausea, mild to severe weight loss, irritable/reclusive behavior, face or legs swelling, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, difficulty moving, drowsiness, etc.
Lymph nodes are found in many places on your dog’s body. Although there are dozens of lymph nodes in the body, only a few are usually felt during physical examination. Lymph nodes that veterinarians and pet caregivers can feel are called peripheral lymph nodes and are usually found in these places: under the jaw, just below the jaw; anterior scapula, in the shoulder area; armpit, in the armpit; groin, in the groin; popliteal fossa, behind the knee;
When a dog develops lymphoma, it may experience weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and other symptoms, along with gastrointestinal and gastric lymphomas. Cutaneous lymphoma usually presents as a skin infection that does not heal. Lymphoma in the chest cavity can cause fluid to build up around the lungs, making it difficult to breathe.
Causes of Lymphoma
According to Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, “Unfortunately, the cause of lymphoma in dogs is unknown. While several possible causes have been investigated, such as viruses, bacteria, chemical exposure, and physical factors such as strong magnetic fields, The cause of this cancer remains unclear.”
Treatment of lymphoma
There is currently no cure for lymphoma, but it is one of the most potentially treatable cancers in dogs. The most effective treatment for most canine lymphomas is chemotherapy, and a variety of chemotherapy regimens and drugs are currently used to treat lymphomas. Treatment usually consists of a combination of oral and injectable drugs once a week.
Commonly used drugs include cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and prednisone. The exact treatment regimen depends on the veterinarian. Fortunately, dogs tolerate the side effects of chemotherapy better than humans, and the side effects are more manageable. Since lymphoma is often an incurable disease, the goal of lymphoma treatment is to induce complete remission by killing a large portion of the cancer cells, and the word “remission” means that all symptoms of the cancer are temporarily gone.
If the dog has a single localized tumor, surgery plus radiation therapy is sometimes an option, but is usually combined with chemotherapy. While chemotherapy cannot cure lymphoma in dogs, in most cases it does extend the length and quality of life. With treatment, about 80% to 90% of lymphomas achieve complete remission, with an average survival time of 12 to 14 months