Animal Cancer FAQ
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association
What is the difference between a benign tumor and cancer?
A benign tumor is not cancerous – it grows slowly. If you remove it, it doesn’t return. However, if it is in the wrong place (like deep in the brain), it can still kill. Cancer is a malignant tumor, which invades tissues aggressively. It may only invade locally, or it may metastasize and spread to areas far away. The most malignant types grow rapidly, spread or metastasized to other organs before the original tumor is detected. So a malignant tumor of the skin that is only locally invasive can have a better outlook than a benign tumor of the brain. Cancers are now “staged”, or classified into degrees of malignancy. The mild types have a more hopeful outlook than the severe types.
What causes cancer?
There is nothing that will cause cancer in all animals. If an animal has certain genes, it will be more likely to get certain types of cancer. The longer an animal is exposed to a carcinogen (cancer-causing substance), the more likely the animal will get cancer. The more cancer-causing factors an animal is exposed to, the more likely that an animal will get cancer.
What are some of these factors?
Heredity
Physical characteristics
Environment
Toxins
Physical and mental stress
How can cancer be inherited?
There are actual cancer-causing genes (”oncogenes”) that are present in a higher number in cancer-prone pets. There are also cancer-fighting cells which are more efficient in some pets than in others.
How do environmental factors and chemicals cause cancer?
Environmental factors and chemicals can cause damage by increasing “free radicals.” These free radicals are very active chemical substances which react with tissues and change their chemical composition. These damaged tissues may lose the genetic instructions that control their normal cell division. This turns them into cancer cells.
How can we prevent cancer?
Avoid environmental factors that cause cancer. For example, pink-skinned cats should never go out in the sun, because they often develop skin cancer on ears and nose – areas not well-protected by fur. Increase the amounts of anti-oxidants in your pet’s diet: include beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and others. Anti- oxidants de-activate free radicals. Controlled medical studies have proven their ability to decrease the incidence of cancer in humans. Co-enzyme Q-10 can also decrease the chance of getting cancer.
How can we cure cancer?
Surgery
Diet change
Anti-oxidants
Herbs
Maybe chemotherapy
I thought surgery just spread cancer around?
Some types of cancer can be fully cured by surgery – if they only invade locally, are caught early, and if a big enough piece of tissue is removed. Also, some types of benign tumors (such as mammary cancer) can turn into cancer if left long enough, so surgery is a better alternative.
Why not just take herbal cancer cures to prevent it?
Herbs can be toxic. You don’t always get the right one–no one herb will cure all cancers.
How common is Cancer?
Cancer is common in pets, and the rate increases with the animal’s age. Dogs get cancer at roughly the same rate as humans, while cats get fewer cancers. Cancer accounts for almost half of the deaths of pets over 10 years of age.
How is it Diagnosed?
Strong circumstantial evidence of cancer can be attained from x-rays, blood tests, the physical appearance of the cancer, or the physical signs caused by the cancer. Most cancers, however, will require a biopsy (removal of a piece of tissue) for confirmation.
Common Signs of Cancer in Pets
Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow
Sores that do not heal
Weight loss
Loss of appetite
Bleeding or discharge from any body opening
Difficulty eating or swallowing
Difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecating
Cancer is frequently treatable, and early diagnosis will aid your veterinarian in delivering the best care possible.
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. All skin tumors should be examined by your veterinarian.
Breast – Fifty percent of all breast tumors in dogs and 85% of all breast tumors in cats are malignant. Spaying your 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.
Head & Neck - Cancer of the mouth is common in dogs and less common in cats. A mass on the gums, bleeding, odor, or difficult eating are signs to watch for. Many swellings are malignant, so early aggressive treatment is essential. Cancer may develop inside the nose of both cats and dogs. Bleeding from the nose, difficulty breathing, or facial swelling may occur.
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 virus causes most of these cancers in cats. Chemotherapy is frequently effective in controlling this type of cancer.
Testicles – Testicular tumors are rare in cats and common in dogs, especially those with retained testes. Most of these cancers are curable with surgery.
Abdominal Tumors – Tumors inside the abdomen are common. It is difficult to make an early diagnosis. Weight loss and abdominal enlargement are common signs of these tumors.
Bone – Bone tumors are most commonly seen in large breed dogs and rarely in cats.
How is Cancer Treated in Pets?
Each cancer requires individual care. Your veterinarian may use surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, cryosurgery (freezing), hyperthermia (heating) or immunotherapy to effectively treat cancers. Combination therapy is commonly employed.
What is the Success Rate?
This depends strongly on 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. Your veterinarian will have a better chance to control or cure your pet’s cancer if it is detected early.