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KIDNEY
There is a number of different tumours found in the lkidneys. Pathology testing must be undertaken to indicate which type of tumour is found. The correct treatment can only be administered in accordance with the tumour type, grading and staging.
Renal tubular cell carcinoma is a malignant tumour and accounts for most kidney tumours.
Transitional cell carcinoma is malignant. For more detailed information, click here.
Anaplastic carcinoma is malignant.
Nephroblastoma is a cancer more common in younger dogs and less likely to spread than renal cell carcinoma.
Lymphoma is a cancer of lymphocytes which are white blood cells. It is rare to affect only the kidneys.
Soft tissue sarcoma are a group of tumours that all form from any type of connective tissue. They therefore can have lots of names but the most common is fibrosarcoma. It is rare.
LUNGS
There are a number of different tumours found in the lungs. Pathology testing must be undertaken to indicate which type of tumour is found. The correct treatment can only be administered in accordance with the tumour type, grading and staging.
Carcinoma primary lung cancer is almost always a carcinoma, meaning it has arisen from the cells that line the smaller airways and lungs and is malignant. It is possible that inhaled smoke (including cigarette smoke from their owners, or smoke from fireplaces) increase the risk of this disease in dogs though the research is not certain.
Types include bronchial (from the airways), bronchoalveolar and alveolar (from the air sacs) and are described as differentiated (looking similar to normal lung cells) or undifferentiated.
Uncommon Primary lung cancers
Squamous cell carcinoma is derived from cells that line the airways that have undergone squamous change, meaning they have flattened as a response to irritation.
Soft tissue sarcomas are derived from the connective tissue in the lungs, they are rare.
Metastatic or secondary lung cancer. This is a common site for many cancers to spread to, and is therefore one of the most common sites that is checked (with xrays or CT scan) when any malignant cancer is diagnosed elsewhere in the body. Most dogs with metastatic cancer in the lungs will have multiple tumours, whereas most dogs with primary lung cancer will have 1 tumour visible.
Adenomas which are a benign tumour are rare.
Non-cancerous growths lumps can form in the lungs due to the immune system attacking a region. This is rare in dogs but can be due to an infection or something similar to an allergic response.
LIVER
There are several different types of primary liver tumours. Pathology testing must be undertaken to indicate which type of tumour is found. The correct treatment can only be administered in accordance with the tumour type, grading and staging.
Carcinoma is the most common type of tumour, formed from the cells that do the liver’s job such as processing energy stores. Although it is malignant, it can often be cured surgically. About 1/3 spread through the liver and beyond. The benign form, an adenoma, is very rare.
Nodular hyperplasia is common. It is a nodule that looks cancerous on ultrasound, but isn’t.
Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of tumours that all form from any type of connective tissue. They therefore can have lots of names but the most common is fibrosarcoma. Benign tumours are uncommon.
Secondary Tumours
The liver is a very common spot for tumours to spread to. When multiple tumours are found, it is commonly from a cancer elsewhere in the body. The name of the tumour in that case is the same as where it came from. So a cancer of the prostate found in the liver is ‘metastatic prostate cancer’, not liver cancer.
LYMPH NODES
Lymphoma is more common in the lymph nodes than the skin. Multiple lumps throughout the lymph nodes of the body usually appearing within days. Ninety percent of dogs have one of three types:
- Diffuse large B cell lymphoma
- High grade T cell lymphoma
- Intermediate grade T cell lymphoma
While these 3 types are generally aggressive and rapid, many of the remaining
10% of dogs will have less aggressive forms; some don’t even need treatment for years.
While these 3 types are generally aggressive and rapid, many of the remaining 10% of dogs will have less aggressive forms; some don’t even need treatment for years.
While these 3 types are generally aggressive and rapid, many of the remaining 10% of dogs will have less aggressive forms; some don’t even need treatment for years.
While these 3 types are generally aggressive and rapid, many of the remaining 10% of dogs will have less aggressive forms; some don’t even need treatment for years.
