A second remission, though more difficult, can be achieved for some dogs. Although not a first line of treatment, prednisone can improve clinical signs and increase the comfort of your pet, if only for a few weeks.ĭespite the most aggressive of treatments, LSA cannot be cured, and most dogs will relapse at some point. If chemotherapy is not an option, speak with your veterinarian about the use of steroids alone. ![]() In some cases, your veterinarian may recommend removal of a lymph node or organ affected by LSA. There are multiple chemotherapeutic drugs used in the treatment of LSA, including: Dogs, with few exceptions, do not lose their hair.Īn oncologist can help decide the best medication or medications for your dog. Serious side effects, such as bone marrow suppression and secondary infections, can occur, but are not as common. Dogs tolerate chemotherapy much better than people do, and the doses prescribed are often lower, with fewer side effects than expected because the goal of treatment is to preserve the quality of your dog’s life for as long as possible. Lymphoma is one of the cancers that is most responsive to chemotherapy, and remission can often be achieved in well over 50% of dogs. Stage IV: All lymph nodes affected and organ involvement (spleen, liver, chest) Stage II: Multiple lymph nodes affected in a similar region LSA in dogs can be classified into five stages depending on the number of body systems affected: This may include chest x-rays, abdominal ultrasound, bloodwork, bone marrow aspirates, and IHC (immunohistochemistry) or flow cytometry, which helps determine the type of lymphoma. Once your dog is diagnosed, your veterinarian may recommend additional tests or refer you to an oncologist for further testing and treatment, including staging-to determine how far the cancer has spread. From there, your veterinarian may want to perform a cytology (when a needle is inserted into the node and cells are obtained) or biopsy (a larger needle is inserted into the node for cell collection or to obtain a chunk of tissue) of the lymph node and have the sample reviewed by a pathologist. In most cases, the first sign of LSA is enlarged lymph nodes. How Veterinarians Diagnose Lymphoma in Dogs There is rarely a single cause for cancer, and the development of lymphoma is no different. UV damage or other environmental triggers Multiple factors that have been associated with certain cancers include: ![]() Causes of Lymphoma in DogsĬancer often occurs for reasons that are not well understood. Symptoms specific to the body area affected can also include dry, crusty skin with patches of hair loss, loss of color, and ulcerated skin (cutaneous LSA) diarrhea and vomiting (gastrointestinal LSA) and exercise intolerance, coughing, and trouble breathing (mediastinal LSA). Usually one, both, or multiple nodes are enlarged. Dogs have multiple pairs of lymph nodes throughout the body, but the easiest lymph nodes to locate and feel are the prescapular (front of chest), submandibular (under the jaw), and popliteal (behind the knees). The most common symptom of LSA in dogs is an enlarged, firm, non-painful lymph node. Mediastinal Lymphoma: also uncommon, but occurs when lymphoma affects the lymphoid organs within the chest cavity, such as the thymus Less common types of lymphoma in dogs include:Įxtranodal Lymphoma: an uncommon form that occurs when lymphoma develops in an organ outside the lymphatic system, such as an eye or kidney Gastrointestinal Lymphoma: affecting the stomach and intestines Multicentric Lymphoma: first noted in the lymph nodes There are several types of LSA in dogs, categorized by the organs affected. The lymphatic system is interconnected with the bloodstream, which is why LSA is considered a systemic disease and, as such, requires systemic treatment such as chemotherapy. ![]() LSA occurs due to an overgrowth and unregulated cellular division of lymphocytes, a type of cell that plays a crucial role in the immune system that helps protect the body from infection.Īlthough LSA can affect any organ of the body, it primarily affects parts of the immune system, including the lymphatic system, lymph nodes, spleen, and bone marrow. Lymphoma, also known as lymphosarcoma (LSA), is one of the most common cancers in dogs.
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