Does your dog have lymphoma?

by Tonya Hillukka

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that even dogs can develop. Has your pet recently been diagnosed with lymphoma?

Unfortunately, lymphoma is not uncommon in dogs; in fact, it accounts for ten to twenty percent of all canine cancers. It is a malignant form of cancer that involves the lymphoid system. Lymphoma in dogs is heterogeneous, meaning it has varying clinical signs, depending on the location of the cancer. The diagnosis of this type of cancer in dogs is usually simple and can be obtained by either a cytologic or a histopathologic evaluation of the affected organ system. 

Symptoms

Lymphoma symptoms typically appear as swollen “glands”, or swollen lymph nodes, under the neck, in front of the shoulders or behind the knee. Besides swollen glands, you may notice that your dog is vomiting, has diarrhea, a loss of appetite, weight loss, difficulty breathing, increased thirst and urination, and may seem to be lethargic. Cutaneous lymphosarcoma can cause redness and flakiness on the skin, ulcerations, itchiness and lumps under the skin.


Stages

Stage I: Solidary lymph node or lymphoid tissue is involved in a single organ (i.e. nasal cavity).
Stage II: Several lymph nodes are involved in the same general area.
Stage III: All peripheral lymph nodes involved.
Stage IV: Liver and/or spleen and/or anterior mediastinum are involved in the chest.
Stage V: Bone marrow is involved.

Substages


Substage A: No systemic signs of disease (no symptoms).
Substage B: With systemic signs of disease.

Treatment

Chemotherapy is the most common type of treatment for lymphoma. It is usually given in a combination of oral and injectable drugs, the amounts depending on the financial resources of the dog’s family. Also, bone marrow implants have been done experimentally in dogs over the decades. Now they will be offered by Washington State University to dogs with cancer--and families that can afford the procedure. 

Prognosis

If left untreated, the life expectancy for a dog with lymphoma is around four to six weeks. The dog may be given oral prednisone to reduce swelling and discomfort, but it will not increase the dog’s life span. Pets that undergo chemotherapy generally have an extended life span, depending on how well they respond to the treatment. More than 75% of dogs that have lymphoma are expected to achieve a complete remission with chemotherapy. Fortunately, treatment for lymphoma is considered one of the more successful cancer treatments, and is well worth the money spent.
 

Being one of the most common types of dog cancer, lymphoma in dogs should not be taken lightly. It affects the lymphoid system and is often discovered with swollen glands. However, since it is so common, treatment has been nearly perfected and your pet can be expected to recover completely with the first round of lymphoma. However, with each remission, your dog has a lower chance of survival.

References

Lymphoma in Dogs, http://caninecancer.com/Lymphoma.html

Canine Malignant Lymphoma, http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/10500.htm

**Note: Tonya does not claim to be a veterinary professional. If your dog seems to be displaying symptoms of lymphoma, please consult with your veterinarian immediately.**