All Entries in the "Canine Dog Bone Cancer" Category

What Are The Four Main Types of Dog Bone Cancer? Part 2: Chondrosarcoma

The second main type of bone tumor in canines is called Chondrosarcoma. It is responsible for 5-10% of all main bone tumor types, although it is not as malignant as Osteosarcoma. It is a tumor in the cartilage, and generally it appears on bones that are flat: ribs, skull bones. It may also appear in the limbs such as the femur bone. The symptoms of this type of bone tumor mimic those of OSA. In most cases the course of action is to remove the tumor to manage the disease. It is found that chemotherapy is ineffective against Chondrosarcoma. In recent studies, however, an antibiotic called fluoroquinolone is seen to be toxic to the cancer cells in the cartilage. Whether this antibiotic will be effective in treating chondrosarcoma remains to be seen. Further studies are needed.

Immediate attention is important in treating chondrosarcoma.The vet will have x-rays taken of the patient so that the affected area is clear. He will determine if the cancer has spread, as about 10% of cases metastasize to the lungs. They can take samples of the enlarged lymph nodes through a needle biopsy, because lymph nodes are usually areas where cancer gathers in the circulatory system.

It is important to take note of the symptoms, which vary relative to the tumor’s location.

Symptoms vary depending on the location of the tumor:

Ribs – there will be a swelling in the costochondral junction, or the area where the ribs meet.

Nasal area – breathing may be difficult, accompanied by sneezing, and nasal discharge.

Pelvis – pain in the pelvic area, especially during examinations

Spine/Vertebrae – no visible clues

What Are The Four Main Types of Bone Cancer? Part 1: Osteosarcoma

There are four main kinds of bone tumors, called osteosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and hemangiosarcoma. Osteosarcoma remains the most common type of main bone tumors. Other types of cancer such as rhabdomyosarcoma, liposarcoma, plasma cell tumors and lymphoma could also involve the bone, usually as a part of a generalized cancer process. We will discuss the first type in this article.

Osteosarcoma

There are four main kinds of bone tumors, called osteosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and hemangiosarcoma.

OSA, as osteosarcoma is abbreviated, is the most common primary tumor type in bone. Statistics show that over 8,000 canines are affected by osteosarcoma in the United States alone. It occurs in the limbs, but it is known to occur in the skull, ribs, jaw or spine. The cause of osteosarcoma is not known. Theories about the development of osteosarcoma include frequent and repetitive injury to the bone, an underlying disease involving the bone, infections (viral), a genetic history of bone cancer, previous breaks and fractures, and previous exposure to radiation. They remain theories, however, as they have yet to be proven.

Osteosarcoma happens in large or giant dog breeds more than in smaller breeds. They are 20 times less likely to have OSA occur in them, but it is not unheard of. Size and height, obviously directly related to bone, are more significant risk factors than the breed of the dog, and it has been found in studies that the dogs affected by this disease are young. They are included in the ages 1 and 2 years, or in the range of 7-9 years of age.

This bone disease is very painful as the bone degrades from the inside out. It develops first deep inside the bone and grows outward.

Keep reading to see the next main type of Dog Bone Cancer: Chondrosarcoma.

How Do I Help Prevent Dog Bone Cancer In My Pet?

Reduction of Risk Factors

While the genetic factor is a threat that is waiting to be triggered to develop Bone Cancer, the best owners can do to lessen the chance of its stimulation is to avoid carcinogens from entering the dog’s body. The less amount of carcinogens there are in the body, the less chances of interrupted cell growth process. As much as possible, products and materials containing carcinogens should be kept away from your dog.

Support

Your dog needs your support and care in battling Bone Cancer, and these are some of the ways you can offer them.

Undergoing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are not easy feats when your dog is trying to survive the pain of Bone Cancer. During recuperation after the several difficult procedures he has been through, it is very important that you help him fight the side effects.

Treatments of cancer will result in the following aftermaths:

Vomiting and nausea
Diarrhea
Loss of appetite
Non-responsiveness
Difficulty Breathing
Swelling
Hair Loss
Low White Blood Cell Count
Anemia

According to research, dietary intake is a crucial component in surviving cancer. Findings of veterinary oncologist Gregory K. Ogilvie, DVM, diplomate ACVIM (Internal Medicine and Oncology), and professor of Oncology and Internal Medicine at the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences states that:

Cancer cells readily metabolize carbohydrates, and
Cancer cells are unable to metabolize fats.

Summarizing these findings, it shows that one of the most important factors that will surely help in the recovery of your dog is right nutrition.

Your dog needs your support and care in battling Bone Cancer, and these are some of the ways you can offer them.

What Are the Treatment Options for Dog Bone Cancer?

Once Bone Cancer has developed, it is almost impossible to prevent its spreading throughout the body . It spreads aggressively throughout the body in such a way that without relative treatment, affected dogs may completely succumb to the disease in 1 to 2 months’ time. Once Bone Cancer has spread and become inoperable or untreatable, euthanasia is the only humane option allowable in order to save the dog from intense pain that will no longer regress.

90% of Bone Cancer tumors metastasize to the lungs. Because of this, aggressive treatment is implemented.

Once Bone Cancer has developed, it is almost impossible to prevent its spreading throughout the body .

Treatment includes amputation of the affected part followed by a series of chemotherapy, but that should provide only temporary relief. Amputation alone provides an average survival time of 5 months while amputation with chemotherapy provides a survival time of at least one year. Chemotherapy drugs that are proven effective for Bone Cancer chemotherapy are Carboplatin, Cisplatin and Doxorubicin.

Radiation therapy is another option when the aim is to provide pain relief from secondary bone tumors caused by metastasis. This treatment results to 2 to 3 months of pain-free survival time. Commonly, radiation therapy is used before and after a surgery, or during times when the tumor is inoperable or has not been completely excised during surgery.

These are some of the ways dog bone cancer is treated.

How Dog Bone Cancer is Diagnosed

If your dog has Bone Cancer, it will show itself in the swelling of bones and pain in the joints. The tumors in bone cancer appear in areas where the growth plates are at constant activitity. The limbs and joints of Large dog breeds are particularly affected. A dog that has bone cancer would be unable to properly walk, run, or enjoy activities they previously did without any trouble.

Diagnosis

Knowing which dog breeds are susceptible to bone cancer allows us to monitor and examine them early on for signs of an onslaught of this illness. There are specific bone patterns identifiable in X-rays that could be an indication of bone cancer.

A biopsy of bone tumors through surgical sampling is required for a diagnosis of bone cancer. This procedure is often considered difficult, however, because of possible complications. The bone marrow biopsy needle is another and less invasive approach to bone cancer diagnosis. It is inserted into a small area of the tumor in the bone.

Knowing which dog breeds are susceptible to bone cancer allows us to monitor and examine them early on for signs of an onslaught of this illness. There are specific bone patterns identifiable in X-rays that could be an indication of bone cancer.

In addition, bone cancer could also be the result of the other forms of cancer metastasizing from other areas of the body. For primary diagnosis of this illness, however, these possibilities should be ruled out temporarily.