Your veterinarian just called and told you the small lump they removed from your beloved dog is cancerous as he suspected but, worse, it is a malignant tumor. Your heart is in your throat, you ask him for a prognosis. To your surprise, he says the surgery was curative but you need to keep an eye out for new growths, as they need to be removed right away. You are flabbergasted that a malignant tumor can be cured with surgery alone. How is that possible when everything you have ever heard about malignant cancer usually is accompanied by a solemn death knell?
Comprehending what your Vet is saying
Comprehending what your vet is explaining to you or what you are reading helps you to make the right decisions for your pet.
The proper name for cancer is neoplasia, meaning new growth. In its simplest form, cancer is simply an overgrowth of new cells and the body begins to suffer when the nutrients required to feed the cancer cannot be met by the food intake but are taken from the lean tissue instead. Often the first symptom we see in our pets suffering from cancer is weight loss; this is an indicator that the cancer is already sucking its nutrients directly from its host.
Malignant Tumors
Malignant tumors have three goals in life: to live, to grow, and to take new ground. Unlike benign tumors that grow slowly, and that most often have a uniform shape and do not spread, malignant tumors grow quickly, are irregularly shaped and often have long tentacles that make surgical removal more difficult. Worse, they metastasize or spread through the lymphatic or circulatory system so what started as a mammary tumor can become lung, spleen, or bone cancer. There are hundreds of types of malignant tumors in dogs and they run the gamut on degrees of invasive, aggressive, and lethal behaviors.
Stage and Grade
Stage and grade are two words that are thrown around in oncology but few vets take the time to explain the difference. Stage describes where the particular tumor is at in regards to growth. An early stage or stage I tumor is small and non-spreading where as a grade IV tumor is big, may be part of a cluster of tumors, and has invaded another part of the body. Stage I tumors have a far better prognosis then stage III or IV tumors. The term grade refers to the aggressiveness of the tumor. A grade I tumor means the tumor is not aggressive so the likelihood of it spreading is rare. A grade IV tumor is extremely aggressive, making treatment far more difficult.
Types of Malignant Tumors in Dogs and their Symptoms
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in dogs and is six times more common in dogs then in cats. Overexposure to the sun considered the most likely culprit, especially in short haired dogs. Common skin cancers include squamous cell carcinomas or SCC, hemangiosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, and mast cell tumors.
SCC is most often seen in areas of little pigment or thinly furred areas such as ears, face and the forehead area. They start as non-healing sores or lumps and without treatment, eventually metastasize to the internal organs.
Hemangiosarcomas are usually associated with the spleen, however, they can develop as skin cancer. They begin as red or black spots on the skin.
Fibrosarcoma begins in the connective tissue in the skull, spine, ribs and pelvis. Over time, it will wrap around the tissues, inhibiting movement.
Mast cell tumors start as small lumps that seem benign in nature. However, they can spread indiscriminately and are considered the most lethal of all the skin cancers. Treatment usually involves surgery to remove the lump.
Mammary tumors are the most common form of cancer in unspayed females with over half being malignant tumors. Spaying a female dog before her first heat cycle precludes any chance of mammary tumors developing and each heat cycle she goes through increases the risk of developing this invasive from of cancer. Symptoms include small lumps in the mammary tissue and prognosis is dependent on how quickly treatment is administered.
Oral tumors in dogs are most often malignant. Unfortunately, by the time they are found, quite often they are far advanced and little can be done for the dog, as surgery to remove the tumor is difficult if the tumor has spread into the nasal cavity or eye area.
Nasal Tumors Sneezing, difficulty breathing, nosebleeds, or a discharge from the nose can indicate a nasal tumor. They are rare but almost exclusively malignant and treatment is difficult, much like oral tumors.
Bone cancer is unfortunately common in large and giant breeds and usually starts at the site of a previous injury or vaccination. Pain, heat in the area, limping, swelling, and lethargy are the most common symptoms.
Cancer of the lymph system in dogs is common. There are two types: lymphoma that affects the entire body and another that involves the alimentary, thymic, and cutaneous glands. It can include a variety of body systems and symptoms include enlargement of the lymph glands, depression, weight loss, and anorexia.
Abdominal tumors are uncommon but are usually malignant and early diagnosis is rare. Symptoms include weight loss, diarrhea or constipation, vomiting blood, bloody stools, pain or discomfort when moving, difficulty getting comfortable when lying down and stiffness of movement.
Lung cancer is not common in dogs except as a secondary cancer from another form of cancer that metastasized to the lungs.
Treatment for Malignant Tumors in Dogs
The treatment of malignant tumors in dogs is a difficult decision to make for owners and understandable, we all want our favorite companions to live long, healthy lives with no pain or suffering. Research and education about your dog’s cancer are your most important resources right now. Take some time to make the right decision and always keep your pet’s welfare at heart.
Depending on what stage and grade the cancer is, most veterinarians will suggest surgery to remove the tumor and chemotherapy to kill any remaining cells. Alternatively, many people opt to treat the cancer holistically feeling that whatever days the dog has left should be comfortable and happy days versus the pain of surgery and discomfort of chemo.
The decision is your own and you know your pet best, contact a holistic veterinarian to get a second opinion and start a treatment plan that best fits you and your pet.
Related product: Advanced Immune Restoration for Dogs
Treatment for Malignant Tumors in Dogs
The treatment of malignant tumors in dogs is a difficult decision to make for owners and understandable, we all want our favorite companions to live long, healthy lives with no pain or suffering. Research and education about your dog’s cancer are your most important resources right now. Take some time to make the right decision and always keep your pet’s welfare at heart.
Depending on what stage and grade the cancer is, most veterinarians will suggest surgery to remove the tumor and chemotherapy to kill any remaining cells. Alternatively, many people opt to treat the cancer holistically feeling that whatever days the dog has left should be comfortable and happy days versus the pain of surgery and discomfort of chemo.
The decision is your own and you know your pet best, contact a holistic veterinarian to get a second opinion and start a treatment plan that best fits you and your pet.
Hello, My 4 1/2 year old pit bull is currently undergoing antibiotic treatment for a black lump that just appeared on the nail portion of one of his toes. We were told to see if it responds to the antibiotics and return in 2 weeks because the vet thinks it could also be a mast cell tumor, but it was too sensitive to aspirate without putting him under and she didn’t feel that it was necessary to do right now. She did give us a few options and outcomes and had mentioned that if it doesn’t respond to the meds and the pathology shows that it is malignant then we will need to amputate his toe. This seems a little extreme and I’d love to know if there are other viable options before we commit to a big surgery like that. He also has what seems to be seasonal allergies and he tends to get lumps and bumps all over especially during the summer months so I am wondering if maybe this is all linked and if it’s possible this bump on his toe is less frightening than it looks. Thanks!
Hello, This is an immune related issue, regardless of the disease name. Along with the single black toe lump, the dog gets lumps and bumps all over. The cause is the key, which I will explain along with my recommendation for food, water, and supplements in an email which I will send off to you.
Need advice on our 13 year old Boxer. We just found out he might have malignant tumor and we need options on what we can do to treat other than surgery. Please help.
Hi Anthony,
We offer Advanced Immune, a comprehensive program to support immune competence that has been very successul in all types of immune related problems.
I will send you an email
Vitality Sciwence
My 10 year old Chihuahua who was in perfect health till 2 weeks ago develop a growth on her right gum and a week later a subcutaneous mass on her right shoulder that developed overnight. They were both removed yesterday. Her vet says he thinks he removed all of the shoulder mass but is more concerned about the one on the gum reoccurring. What do you recommend to strengthen her immune system?
I recommend our Advanced Immune Protocol which has a very high success rate with dogs. I will send you more detailed info to your email address
I see where you talk about your Advanced Immune Protocol & about your products but where are they on your site? Is this something that is sold only by individual email?
See below for link to Advanced Immune
Advanced Immune Dogs
https://vitalityscience.com/product/advanced-immune-restoration-dog/
My 11 year 6 months old Dachshund was having difficulty walking. I took her to her vet, and he gave her antibiotics and pain medications. They did not improve her condition. Then, he noticed her nail came off. He said he need to do a biopsy, but when she came out of surgery, he had amputated her right rear toe. The margins were clean 3mm, and he sent her to an oncologist, where she had lymph nodes checked under anesthesia. The lab. tests did not show melanoma. She just had her first of six immunotherapy shots, which is supposed to help her live 1 1/2 years. Without treatment the vet predicted that she will live for five or six months. If the melanoma returns, what are the options for her and how do I keep her comfortable?
Hello,
I recommend starting right away with the Advanced Immune Protocol. This protocol has been very successful in extending life and an all around improvement in animal health. Many miraculous testimonials on the web and themain site.
Advanced Immune Dogs
https://vitalityscience.com/product/advanced-immune-restoration-dog/