Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Cancer that occurs in the
mouth, underneath the tongue or along the gums of the middle-aged and
older cats. Common signs of squamous cell carcinoma in cats includes
difficulty eating, interest in food but not wanting to eat, drooling and
odor from the mouth.
Osteosarcoma: Osteosarcoma is
the most common type of bone tumor in dogs. Osteosarcoma begins in the
bone but can spread throughout the bloodstream very early in the course
of the disease (metastasis). The most common areas of the body for
this cancer to appear are the wrist, shoulder, knee and hip. The first
sign of bone cancer is lameness due to pain from the cancer. Swelling
often occurs at the tumor site.
Transitional Cell Carcinoma
– Tumors usually form at the bladder opening and can cause blockage and
painful urinartion. Pets frequently strain while trying to urinate.
Transitional Cell Carcinoma can be difficult to diagnose because many of
the symptoms such as straining to urinate, blood in the urine or
frequent urination are also a symptom of a urinary tract infection.
This can delay the discovery of the cancer, especially since antibiotics
can often result in some improvement of symptoms. Thus, at the time of
diagnosis, bladder cancer can be fairly far advanced and may have spread
to other parts of the body.
Adenocarcinoma: Anal
sac adenocarcinomas are tumors arising from the apocrine glands present
on either side of the rectum. These tumors can range greatly in size
from a very small mass that can be found only after a rectal examination
or a large mass protruding from the rectum. While the tumor appears
locally, it is quite common for them to metastasize, often to the lymph
nodes in between the spine and colon. Symptoms vary depending upon the
gender of the pet and can include increased thirst, weakness, persistent
licking at the site, difficulty defecating, decreased appetite.
Hemangiosarcoma - Most commonly found in the spleen,
liver and heart and the prognosis is determined by the location of the
disease. The cancer arises from the blood vessels and results in the
production of abnormal blood vessels that can be weak and prone to
leaking. As the cancer progresses, the cancerous vessels can rupture and
results in blood loss. As the spleen is the organ most commonly
affected by this type of cancer, rupture can lead to blood loss into the
abdomen. This is an emergency situation and can result in weakness and
collapse. Many pets with hemangiosarcoma often require a splenectomy.
Mast Cell Tumors - Mast cell tumors are among the
most common tumors in dogs and are the most common type of skin cancer
found in dogs. The most common location to find mast cell tumors is, by
far, the skin, followed by the spleen, liver, and bone marrow. Both
normal and cancerous mast cells contain chemicals that can be released
into surrounding tissues. When these chemicals (particularly histamine)
are released into the normal surrounding body tissues, side effects can
include digestive problems (for ex: bleeding ulcers), skin rashes,
shortness of breath and other symptoms. Mast cell tumors vary greatly in
their size, shape, appearance and texture. The only way to definitely
identify them is with a biopsy and pathology report.
Lymphoma - is cancer of the lymphatic tissue. The
lymph system is a core part of the body’s immune system. The lymphatic
system is an extensive drainage network that defends the body against
infections. It is comprised of a network of lymphatic vessels that carry
lymph (a clear, watery fluid that contains protein, salts, glucose and
other substances) throughout the body. The lymphatic system also serves
as a low pressure drainage system that collects interstitial fluid
throughout the body and returns it to the bloodstream. The most common
sign of lymphoma is a painless enlargement of the lymph nodes.