All Entries Tagged With: "chondrosarcoma"
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.
