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Frequently Asked Questions |
 What is the difference between a tumor and cancer? |
 Throughout this web site, the words TUMOR and CANCER are used interchangably. Technically, a tumor is just a swelling which may or may not be a cancer. Cancer is a disease of uncontrolled cell growth which can be benign (not invasive and does not spread) or malignant (usually invasive into surrounding tissue and capable of spreading to other areas of the body). |
| What should I know about my pet's cancer? |
Cancer. The word is as dark and empty as the disease it describes. A diagnosis of cancer often brings with it feelings of fear, loss of control, and the loss of hope. This occurs regardless of whether the patient is a human family member or a precious pet. When we face the diagnosis of cancer in a pet, it is even more difficult because of the important and life changing decisions we must make on his/her behalf. These animals not only share our homes and our daily lives, they also share our hearts. Seeking the most appropriate care for our friends is the least we can do. Below is a starting point if you, or someone you know, has a pet with cancer. Instead of viewing cancer and cancer therapy through shrouds of myth and misconception, the sections below bring information to chip away at the fears and replace those fears with knowledge. It is only by dispelling the myths and misperceptions that we can think clearly, make good decisions, and begin to find the hope we need as we fight cancer. Compassionate cancer care can only be accomplished with a team effort. At the center of that team is you! Each member of the veterinary staff must understand that s/he plays a vital role in the care of your pet, your family, and you. The veterinary health care team will educate you, and empower you to provide ongoing care. Education is the key dispelling your feelings of fear, loss of control, and loss of hope.
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| Can cancer be treated in animals? |
| Yes! Cancer is the most curable of chronic diseases. Surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are three of the most commonly employed treatments.
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| What is cancer? |
| Cancer is an unrestrained growth of cells that destroy normal tissue and body parts in that growth. Some cancers are very aggressive and can spread throughout the body (metastasize) whereas others are slow growing and unlikely to spread throughout the body.
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| How common is cancer in dogs in cats? |
| Cancer is the most common natural cause of death in dogs and cats in the United States. Close to 50% of dogs and cats will develop cancer if they live tens years or longer.
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| What causes cancer? |
| The cause of cancer in pet animals, just like in people, is largely unknown. There are certain breeds that tend to get certain types of cancers more often than others, such as large breed dogs and bone tumors. There are also environmental factors, such as exposure to the sun, that may be associated with increased incidence of cancer. Unfortunately, not enough is known about the cause of cancer to prevent it. |
| Can cancer be prevented? |
| Because the cause of cancer is largely unknown, preventing cancer is generally not possible. In veterinary medicine, the best strategy is to detect and treat cancer early. If your animal has a lump or growth, have it evaluated by a veterinarian. Don't just "wait and see" if it will get any bigger. When cancer is found early, it can usually be treated more effectively. |
| What is "grade"? |
| If your pet has a tumor, your doctor may tell you it is a high grade or a low grade tumor. The tumor may even be assigned a number such as grade 1, grade 2, or grade 3. A grade 1 tumor is a low grade tumor, where as a grade 3 tumor is a high grade tumor. By grading tumors, we can better predict how likely the cancer is to spread, and it helps determine the tumor's likelihood of responding to therapy.
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| What is "stage"? |
| The stage of a tumor refers to the extent of disease in the body. This generally includes looking at local tumor size, lymph node status, and whether or not the cancer has spread to other sites in the body. |
| Is cancer genetic? |
| An individual's ability to resist cancer-causing substances in the environment undoubtedly includes a genetic component. For many cancers, inherited patterns are occasionally seen; in some instances the patterns are pronounced. At present, however, the ability to identify the genetic component of cancer risk is limited. As genetic knowledge advances, genetic studies will begin to have greater relevance for cancer screening and prevention. |
| What are the signs of cancer?
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Like the American Cancer Society's "Seven Early Signs of Cancer," the Veterinary Cancer Society and the AVMA have developed a list of 10 common signs, to educate pet owners about cancer.
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| How will I know if my pet is in pain? |
Pain will induce alterations of your pet's normal behavior. These changes may include loss of normal behaviors and routines, appearance of new and uncharacteristic behavior, and expression of behavior designed to limit pain or adapt to loss of function. There are many ways that pain could modify daily routines. Some animals in pain may appear dull or depressed, while others may appear tense and agitated. Painful animals often eat less than usual, or may eat nothing at all. Some may stop grooming themselves, or may be unwilling to rise to urinate or defecate. Animals in pain may change body postures frequently, or may be reluctant to lie down. They may sit or stand for hours, even when they appear exhausted. They may vocalize, chew at themselves, or rub an area in an unusual way. Their breathing is often rapid and shallow. Painful animals may seem to stare of into space with eyes that are wide open and pupils dilated. Interactions with family often change in response to pain. Chronic pain may limit participation in family activities. Pain may provoke dramatic changes that can include increased aggression or submission and solicitation of affection. Many early changes may be so subtle as to go unrecognized by even the most observant owners. Careful observation of behavioral changes remains the most useful method of recognition of pain in pets. See the CANCER PAIN section |
| What is radiation therapy? |
| Radiation therapy is one method of treating cancer with Xrays or electron radiation. It may be used alone, or in conjunction with other treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy or local hyperthermia (heat). The effectiveness of radiation therapy varies depending on the size of the tumor,the species of the patient, the type of cancer it is, and where the tumor is located. It is most effective at treating tumors that occur in one area (localized disease) rather than tumors that have spread to other parts of the body (systemic disease). Radiation therapy is ideally given every day for a period of three to four weeks, and each treatment requires a brief general anesthesia. The side effects of this treatment vary depending on what part of the body is treated.
See the RADIATION THERAPY section |
| What is a biopsy? |
| A biopsy is a method of obtaining a portion of a tumor for a pathologist to evaluate so that a diagnosis can be made. There are several different ways of performing biopsies including techniques that require special needles, and some that require surgery.
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| What is chemotherapy? |
| Chemotherapy simply means treating disease with medication. The term is most commonly used to refer to treating cancer with medication. Most chemotherapy drugs are given directly into a vein, but others are given orally or by injection into a muscle. Chemotherapy alone is effective against some forms of cancer such as lymphoma, but is often used in combination with other treatments such as surgery. The side effects seen in veterinary chemotherapy, although not entirely absent, are usually significantly less severe than those seen in human medicine because lower dosages of medication are often used. The side effects vary for each drug and for each dosage used.
See the CHEMOTHERAPY section
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| What is cytology?
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| Cytology is a method of looking at cells under a microscope to determine their origin, and whether or not they are malignant (cancerous). One way of obtaining cells for cytology is by removing cells from a tumor using a small hypodermic needle. That technique is called a fine needle aspirate.
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| How is surgery used to treat cancer? |
| Surgery can be used to remove tumors completely or to "debulk" them to make other modes of therapy more effective. Surgery is also used to obtain biopsy samples to help identify the type of cancer your pet may have. The extent of surgery (or surgical dose) varies depending on the goals for each individual patient, as well as the grade and stage of the disease. |
| What is hyperthermia? |
Hyperthermia is a method of treating solid tumors using heating devices to raise the temperature of a tumor. Since tumor cells are very sensitive to increased temperatures, raising the temperature kills tumor cells. Protecting normal tissue is very important, so the type of heating device depends on the location of the tumor. Hyperthermia is often combined with other cancer treatments such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy. In combination, they work synergistically to kill additional tumor cells. Hyperthermia is currently available for the treatment of pets with cancer at a limited number of veterinary teaching hospitals. Studies are ongoing to determine how to uniformly heat a variety of tumor types, and to determine the optimal dose of hyperthermia. |
| What is cryosurgery? |
| Cryosurgery is a method of killing tumor cells with extreme cold temperatures using liquid nitrogen. The tumors best treated with cryosurgery are small, benign masses less than one inch in diameter. Typically, these masses are located on the eyelid, anus, mouth, or skin. Depending on the location of the tumor, the patient may require sedation, local anesthesia, or general anesthesia to perform cryosurgery. |
| What is photodynamic therapy? |
| Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a new anticancer treatment of solid tumors in animals. After a special drug has been administered to the patient, a laser light source causes tumor death by activating the drug locally. A laser light source is used to activate a photosensitizer absorbed in the tissue from the special drug. Once activated, it releases free radicals that damage the tissues. The depth to which the laser can activate the photosensitizer is typically only a few millimeters, limiting the use of PDT to superficial tumors or treatment during surgery.
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| What is metastasis? |
| Metastasis is the spread of cancer to one or more distant sites in the body such as lungs, lymph nodes, or bone. This defines a cancer as being malignant.
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| How will I know if it's time for euthanasia? |
| You will know when it's time because your pet will "tell you." Anticipating death and knowing that it is near can be intimidating, overwhelming, and cause you great anxiety. Therefore, having solid, concrete information about what to watch for and what to do may make it seem more manageable. It is a good idea to ask your veterinarian to write a list of any medical symptoms that your pet may encounter. Such a list can serve as an easy reminder. You will begin to distinguish between pain and suffering in your pet. Pain can be medicated, but suffering is much harder to remedy. If your pet is experiencing significant discomfort, the eyes will probably tell you. The pupils may be dilated, and the eyes may appear glossy. Also, your pet may not pay attention to detail, sound, or movement in the room, and won't lift his head when you talk to him. If your pet is suffering, he may be lethargic or sulky and dull. He'll seem sick and unhappy, as if he had the flu. When your pet seems to have more bad days than good days or even more bad hours than good hours, you'll know that, in some way, he is suffering. You and your pet have always been able to communicate. That hasn't changed. Together, you can make the decision about when it is time.
See the SAYING GOOD-BYE section |
| What do I do with all this information? |
| This information is provided as a public service. It is general in nature and not intended to provide a specific diagnosis, nor dictate specific treatment options. We recommend that you see your veterinarian for consultation, or make an appointment with an oncology specialist in your area. We regret that we cannot respond to all inquiries related to information appearing on this site. |