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Lymphoma, Lymphosarcoma (A killer disease) Lymphoma or lymphosarcoma (abbreviated LSA) is a cancer of the lymphatic system, which includes the lymph glands (also called lymph nodes) and lymph cells scattered through other organs (liver, kidney, intestinal tract, etc.). Because lymphocytes are scattered through all organs, lymph cancer can occur in any organ. Lymphoma occurs commonly in both dogs and cats. Although most cancers occur in older animals this type of cancer can occur in young animals as well although less commonly than in the older animal. Certain breeds of dogs develop lymphoma more often than others. This tumor occurs more often in the following breeds: Boxer Basset Hound Rottweiler Cocker Spaniel Saint Bernard Scottish Terrier Airedale English Bulldog Golden Retriever There are several forms of this cancer that require different diagnostic tests and respond differently to treatment. Lymphoma occurs in several different forms, which result in different signs. There is overlap across these forms and some animals may have mixtures of different forms. Forms of lymphoma include: all lymph nodes (inside the body and out), multicentric, chest cavity (mediastinal), stomach and intestine (gastrointestinal), kidney (renal), blood and bone marrow (leukemia), brain or spinal cord (nervous system), and less common forms, such as in the eye, skin (cutaneous) and nose. Generalized lymph node enlargement (multicentric form) is the most common form of lymphoma occurring in dogs. Many dogs will appear normal, other than the swollen lymph nodes where as others are very sick with a variety of signs. If they have other signs they tend to be vague and include weight loss, lack of appetite and depression. Very large, non-painful lymph nodes can often be felt in the neck, on the front of the chest, under the armpit, in the groin, and behind the knee. The liver and spleen are often affected as well and may be enlarged on examination or x-ray. Both dogs and cats can develop the chest form of lymphoma but it occurs more commonly in cats. The cancerous growth in the chest may cause fluid to accumulate in the chest resulting in difficulty breathing. Coughing and gagging may also be seen. Some dogs and cats with the chest form of lymphoma have unequal pupil size called Horner's syndrome. The stomach and intestinal form of lymphoma occurs in both dogs and cats, and can cause vomiting and/or diarrhea, weight loss, and lack of appetite. Sometimes the intestines feel thickened on examination and swollen internal lymph nodes may be felt. This form of lymphoma can occur as a lump or may be spread throughout the stomach and intestine. The kidney form of lymphoma occurs more commonly in cats than in dogs and may result in increased thirst, urination, vomiting, depression, and weight loss. Cats with this form of lymphoma often also have cancer in the brain or spinal cord. Animals with the blood form of lymphoma, called leukemia, tend to be very sick. In this form the cancer cells grow in the bone marrow cavity, which in health is the place where blood cells (red cells, white cells, and platelets) are formed. The cancer cells grow rapidly and crowd out the normal cells leading to low red cell counts (anemia), low white cell counts, which allow infections to develop, and low platelet counts, which can cause abnormal bleeding. Dogs and cats with lymphoma of the brain or spinal cord may be paralyzed, have seizures or be demented. The skin form of lymphoma occurs in dogs but is rare in cats. There may be one skin lump or many. The skin lesions are often raw and ulcerated. Cats can develop a form of lymphoma in the nose. Signs include sneezing, discharge from the nose or deformity of the face. Diagnosis. The method used to make a diagnosis of lymphoma varies with the form. The generalized form is often easy to diagnose by obtaining a small needle sample from one of the lymph nodes for microscopic evaluation although in a few cases a surgical biopsy may be needed. Ultrasound is a good method to look inside organs. The texture of the liver and spleen is often abnormal when they contain cancer cells. The blood form (leukemia) can be diagnosed by finding large, abnormal lymph cells called lymphoblasts, in the blood and bone marrow. The chest form is diagnosed by seeing a mass in the chest on chest x-ray, or using ultrasound to look inside the chest. Fluid, if present, can be sampled or a needle sample of the mass can be obtained and will show large, abnormal lymph cells (lymphoblasts). The intestinal form is the hardest to diagnose. There are many other causes of vomiting and diarrhea that need to be considered. In some cases a diagnosis can be made by obtaining a small sample of intestine using a flexible tube called an endoscope. In other cases, surgery is required to make a diagnosis. In some pets the intestinal cancer will obstruct the intestine, requiring emergency surgery. In cats and dogs with nervous system signs the spinal fluid may show cancer cells. Abnormalities of blood and urine tests vary with the form of lymphoma. Normal blood cells (red cells, white cells, and platelets) are decreased in animals with leukemia and occasionally in pets with other forms of lymphoma. Blood calcium is increased in the blood of some dogs and rarely cats with lymphoma. Increased calcium results in increased thirst and urination and sometimes weakness and muscle twitches. Blood tests for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus should be obtained in cats. Treatment. Lymphoma can be very responsive to treatment with anti cancer drugs (chemotherapy). Some forms respond better to treatment than others. Although each animal with lymphoma is unique, the generalized form and chest forms often respond well to treatment. The intestinal form is more responsive to treatment in cats than in dogs. Leukemia and the skin form respond poorly to treatment. On average about 65 - 75 percent of cats and 80 - 90 percent of dogs with lymphoma will respond to chemotherapy drugs. About 20 percent of treated cats will still be alive one year after diagnosis and about 20 percent of dogs will be alive two years after the diagnosis of lymphoma. Dogs and cats with lymphoma that are not treated live an average of 4 to 8 weeks. There are several treatment protocols for lymphoma. Often chemotherapy protocols include several drugs, some which are given by mouth and some by injection. The treatment protocols are often referred to by acronyms such as COP, COAP and CHOP, etc., each letter referring to one of the drugs in the protocol. In general, dogs and cats tolerate chemotherapy much better than people and in many cases the animal feels and acts normal while receiving chemotherapy. Even though the drugs are usually well tolerated by dogs and cats they are very potent drugs and can cause serious side effects so dogs and cats are closely monitored while receiving chemotherapy. Early in the course of chemotherapy weekly examinations and blood tests are usually performed. Side effects of chemotherapy may include vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite and fever. Generalized hair loss is not common in dogs and cats although hair that was shaved may grow back slowly. Dogs with curly hair like poodles may lose hair and cats may lose their whiskers. When treating a pet with anti-cancer drugs follow instructions carefully. Chemotherapy drugs are given on a very specific schedule. It is important to follow the drug schedule closely. Some drugs should not be handled and you will be told to wear gloves when giving the pills. Some drugs will be eliminated in your pet’s urine or stool and you should wear gloves if necessary to clean up after your pet. Your pet’s appetite, attitude and temperature should be monitored at home in order to detect problems early. Some cancer drugs have very specific side effects, for example, adriamycin can cause heart damage, ciplatin can cause kidney damage and cytoxin can cause bloody urine. When cancer drugs have specific side effects your veterinarian will tell you specifically what signs to watch for. Treatment is often divided into early treatment that is called induction followed by maintenance treatment during which fewer drugs, lower doses or less frequent treatments are given. Prognosis. Pets with lymphoma are rarely cured of their cancer. The cancer responds to treatment by shrinking to a microscopic level (called remission) but in almost all cases, the cancer will return (called relapse). When the cancer returns often it can be forced back to a microscopic level by using different drugs or higher doses of drugs. After several relapses the cancer becomes resistant to anti-cancer drugs and the pet will either die of their cancer or be put to sleep. Even though most animals with lymphoma will eventually die of their cancer, treatment can be very rewarding as the pets can feel well for up to a year or two after diagnosis.
This information can be found at http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientED/lsa.asp Washington State University assumes no liability for injury to you or your pet incurred by following these descriptions or procedures. NC Rottie rescue assumes no liablity for injury to you or your pet incurred by following these descriptions or procedures. Hemangiosarcoma Key Points. Two-thirds of all splenic tumors are maligant and the remainder are benign. Of the malignant tumors, about two-thirds of them are hemangiosarcoma. In our experience most at least 80% of the dogs that have internal bleeding due to a ruptured splenic tumor have hemangiosarcoma. Prognosis with dogs that have hemangiosarcoma is highly variable - some dogs live for about 1 year yet others for only a few weeks. Anatomy and Physiology. The spleen is attached to the stomach by the gastrosplenic ligament and its blood supply. The spleen has a tremendous blood supply and is a reservoir for red blood cells. The spleen is a filter which cleanses the blood by removing old red blood cells. Dogs and cats can function normally without a spleen as the liver will take over its function. Diseases of the spleen Tumors Breeds most commonly affected Golden retrieversGerman shepherds About two thirds of the masses found on the spleen are malignant; of the malignant tumor types, two thirds of these are hemangiosarcoma; the bottom line is that about 45% of all splenic masses are hemangiosarcoma, which carries a very guarded prognosisBenign: fibroma, leiomyoma, and othersMalignant: hemangiosarcoma (most common), lymphosarcoma, mast cell tumor, leiomyosarcoma, and many moreHemangiosarcoma is the most common tumor and frequently results in rupture of the spleen. Internal bleeding occurs and shock usually results. Hemangiosarcoma is a malignant tumor that usually spreads to the liver, lungs, brain, spinal cord, skin, muscle, and fat beneath the skin. Usually at the time of diagnosis of this tumor malignant cells have spread to other internal organs, thus with time the pet will most likely die of recurrent cancer. Splenic torsion In this condition the spleen twists along the axis of the blood supplyThe vein which drains the blood is completely occluded, but the artery continues to pump blood into the spleenThe spleen becomes very large due to engorgement with bloodEventually blood clots develop in the blood vessels and the spleen dies off (called necrosis)This condition is very painful and makes the patient very ill Clinical signs of diseases of the spleen Pale gums - due to bleeding into the abdomen from a ruptured tumorDistention of the abdomenHard mass sometimes can be felt in the abdomenWeaknessLoss of appetiteWith chronic splenic torsion, the urine may develop a dark red-brown (Port wine urine) color due to break down of red blood cells and excretion of hemoglobin Diagnostic tests Complete blood cell countChemistry profile/urinalysisChest radiographs (x-rays) to check for spread of cancerUltrasound of the abdomen to evaluate the spleen, liver, and other abdominal organs Stabilization Many patients that have splenic tumors or splenic torsion show signs of shock (pale gums, low blood pressure) and need to be stabilized by having intravenous fluids given and sometimes a blood transfusionThe heart is monitored for abnormal rhythm Surgery Abdominal exploratory is performed to examine the internal organsIf hemorrhage has occurred prior to the operation, the free blood is removed and the abdominal cavity rinsed with salineThe spleen is removedIf cancer is a concern the liver and spleen are biopsied |
I wanted to put some information on Lymphoma for people so people would be aware of how common cancer is in Rottweilers. I lost my beloved Storm on December 27, 2002 at 4 am from Lymphoma. She was diagnosed on December 17, 2002. We tried Chemo but it didn't help her. I only had 10 days with her and she spent the majority of the time in the hospital. She was my life. |
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