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Dog Cancer
In addition to treating many kinds of human cancers, the University of Colorado Cancer Center also partners with the Flint Animal Cancer Center (FACC) at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado, to provide cancer care for animals. The most common animals treated at FACC are dogs that have naturally occurring cancer, though the center also treats cats and some large animal species as well.
The FACC provides treatment and clinical trials for animals, and it conducts research that helps veterinary patients but also correlates to many human cancers.
→ Growing Evidence Shows Increasing Overlaps Between Human and Companion Animal Cancer Research
The FACC’s Lucy Oncology Clinic is a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to unparalleled veterinary cancer care. In addition to the well-equipped main clinic, the FACC also houses a modern and spacious radiation oncology suite. The center offers veterinary medicine’s most advanced diagnostic tools and treatment options and sees more than 1,600 new patients each year. Using the results from advanced diagnostics, the FACC team designs customized treatment options and works with families to determine the best course of care.
Dog Cancer Prognosis and Survival Rates
Every dog and every cancer diagnosis is unique. Prognosis and survival rates depend on several factors, including the type and stage of cancer, how early it’s detected, the dog’s age and overall health, and the treatment options available.
Some cancers, like lymphoma and mast cell tumors, can respond very well to treatment, giving dogs months to years of good quality life. Other cancers may be more aggressive, making early detection and intervention especially important. With today’s advanced diagnostics and therapies—including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and access to clinical trials—many dogs live longer and more comfortably than ever before.
Survival rates are best understood as averages, not guarantees. For example, some dogs may surpass the typical life expectancy for their diagnosis, while others may face additional health challenges that affect outcomes. What matters most is tailoring a care plan that balances effective treatment with your dog’s quality of life.
The FACC oncology team works closely with families to explain prognosis, discuss survival statistics when available, and outline all treatment options. Together, their goal is to help each person make the decisions that feel right for their pet and family.
Why Visit the Flint Animal Cancer Center?
Compassionate Care
The Flint Animal Cancer Center team partners with families every step of the way, offering not just expert treatment but emotional support through the Argus Institute. They provide personal follow-up during and after care, and financial assistance is available for qualifying cases.
Comprehensive Diagnostics
Every patient’s history and test results are carefully reviewed during twice-daily rounds. From physical exams and blood work to advanced imaging, pets have access to leading-edge tools including a dual-energy source CT scanner, PET/CT, MRI, ultrasound, radiography, and specialized pathology.
Collaborative Planning
Care plans are designed by a team of medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists, with input from other specialty services at the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital as needed. Families are active partners in this process, helping FACC create the best plan for a pet’s unique needs.
Advanced Treatment Options
The Flint Animal Cancer Center provides the most advanced options in chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy, including stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT). The clinical trials program also offers access to promising new treatments. With all oncology services available under one roof, a pet’s care is seamless and coordinated.
A Team Approach
The clinical team includes oncologists, veterinary technicians, fellows, residents, and students working together under faculty supervision. Students serve as advocates and team members, ensuring every patient has dedicated support. Because care often spans weeks or months, pets benefit from a team approach where every member is informed and committed to delivering exceptional care.
Types of Cancer in Dogs
Dogs, just like humans, can get cancer. In fact, about 25% of dogs will develop some form of cancer in their life and about 50% of dogs over the age of 10 will develop cancer.
Masses and lumps in dogs are relatively common, but not all of them are cancerous. When a mass isn’t cancerous, it is referred to as benign. In most cases, benign masses grow more slowly and don’t spread to other parts of the body, so they don’t pose a serious health threat.
By contrast, cancerous masses are characterized by cells that can multiply. They are known as malignant tumors and may grow rapidly, sometimes spreading to other organs and parts of the body, causing potentially serious health impacts. How fast cancer grows and where it spreads depends on the type of cancer.
Lymphoma (Lymphosarcoma)
In dogs, lymphoma most commonly causes enlargement of multiple lymph nodes. These are small structures that are located in many parts of the body and can often be felt along the jaw, in front of the shoulders, in the armpits and groin area, and behind the “knee” area of dogs. Other sites that can be involved include lymph nodes within the chest or abdomen, as well as the spleen, liver, and intestinal tract.
While lymphoma is rarely cured, it is a disease that can be effectively treated.
Bone Cancers (Most Commonly Osteosarcoma)
Bone cancer in dogs usually arises within one of the limbs. The most common breeds affected by bone cancer are large to giant breed dogs. Warning signs of this tumor include lameness and swelling at the site of the cancer.
While osteosarcoma is almost always a fatal disease, the Flint Animal Cancer Center team will work to control the cancer for as long as possible.
Mast Cell Tumors
Mast cell tumors are the most common canine skin tumor treated at the Flint Animal Cancer Center. These tumors most commonly arise on or just below the skin in dogs, although they do occasionally arise inside the chest or abdominal cavities. Warning signs of a mast cell tumor include a persistent swelling on or under the skin. These tumors are usually not painful.
The good news about mast cell tumors is that there are many patients who can be cured of this disease. While a cure is not possible for every dog with mast cell cancer, there are a range of treatment options that can help prolong survival while maintaining a great quality of life.
Soft Tissue Sarcomas
This tumor type typically occurs as slowly growing masses anywhere in the body. Warning signs of this tumor depend upon where it is growing. When outside of a body cavity, a nonpainful mass may be the only abnormality noted. When they arise within the chest or abdominal cavity, it may be difficult to identify the tumor until it is very large. Although less common, some soft tissue sarcomas display a more aggressive behavior and will spread throughout the body to the lungs or other sites.
Tumors of the Oral Cavity
Oral tumors may be benign (unlikely to spread beyond the mouth) or malignant (likely to spread to other parts of the body). The most common malignant oral tumors in dogs are melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and fibrosarcoma. Warning signs of a tumor inside the oral cavity include worsening breath, drooling, dropping food or difficulty eating, blood or bloody discharge in the water bowl, and/or facial disfigurement. While most malignant oral tumors in dogs are not curable, there is a wide range of treatment options to keep dogs comfortable and happy for as long as possible.
Nasal Tumors
There are several different types of cancers that can affect the nasal cavity and associated sinuses. Warning signs of nasal cancer include blood dripping from one side of the nose, sneezing, facial disfigurement, or protrusion of an eyeball. Although it is not possible to cure most nasal tumors, treatment can temporarily resolve clinical signs, improving a dog’s quality of life and therefore prolonging survival.
Signs and Symptoms
Cancer in dogs often occurs for unknown reasons and can be influenced by many factors. Cancerous lumps cannot be distinguished from benign, non-cancerous lumps based on visual appearance alone, as lumps vary in size, shape, and appearance; some may feel firm and immovable, whereas others may feel soft and pliable. Some may appear hairless or pigmented, and others ulcerated; some may be painful when touched, and others not; some may be felt underneath the skin, and others may be felt above the skin.
It’s important to differentiate lumps from lymph nodes, as dogs have multiple pairs of lymph nodes (underneath the jaw, in front of the shoulders, under the armpits, and behind the knees) that can typically be felt as small, oval-shaped, non-painful swellings underneath the skin. Lymph nodes can become enlarged and may be a symptom of cancer. If you find a new lump or bump on your dog, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis.
Dogs with cancer can show multiple symptoms. Some may have a lump or bump, new swelling, a wound that doesn’t heal, swollen lymph nodes, or abnormal bleeding. But many symptoms are nonspecific, including:
Abdominal distension.
Behavioral changes or other neurological issues like seizures or head tilt.
Coughing or changes in respiration.
Decreased appetite and weight loss.
Exercise intolerance.
Pale gums.
Lethargy.
Vomiting and/or diarrhea.
Appendiceal Cancer: Overview and Diagnosis
Appendiceal cancer often presents without symptoms in its early stages.
Many cases of appendiceal cancer are diagnosed incidentally during an appendectomy, a surgical procedure typically performed to treat suspected appendicitis. In asymptomatic individuals, tumors may also be detected during imaging tests conducted for unrelated reasons.
- Diagnostic Imaging: If symptoms indicative of appendiceal cancer arise, health care providers may utilize imaging techniques such as CT (computed tomography) scans and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to assess the appendix.
- Biopsy: To confirm the presence of appendiceal cancer, a biopsy may be performed. This involves obtaining a small tissue sample from the tumor using a needle. A pathologist will then analyze the cells from this sample under a microscope to determine the tumor type. Due to the challenging nature of obtaining biopsies from the appendix, they are typically conducted on tissues in areas where the cancer may have metastasized.
- Diagnostic Laparoscopy: This minimally invasive procedure involves inserting an instrument into the abdomen to directly visualize the internal organs. If tumors are identified, a biopsy of the peritoneum, the membrane lining the abdominal organs, may be conducted to evaluate for cancer spread.
- Laboratory Tests: Should a biopsy confirm appendiceal cancer, the physician will order blood tests to assess protein levels. These results can help determine the cancer's stage, indicating its extent and progression. Understanding the stage of cancer is crucial for devising an appropriate treatment plan.
Accurate diagnosis is essential to ensure effective treatment for appendiceal cancer.
Treatments
Treatment for appendiceal cancer is tailored to the individual patient. It is essential to consult an expert in appendiceal cancer to determine the most effective approach.
Treatment Options:
- Surgery: Surgical intervention may involve the removal of the appendix. This may be sufficient for early-stage tumors. In more advanced cases, part of the colon may also need to be removed. If the disease has spread beyond the appendix, surgery may be an option to remove the affected organs or tissues. This can include sections of the liver and the peritoneum.
- Chemotherapy: In cases where appendiceal cancer has metastasized to other areas of the abdomen, chemotherapy may be utilized to target and eliminate cancer cells. A specialized method known as hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) may also be employed to treat cancer that has spread into the peritoneum. HIPEC involves administering heated chemotherapy directly into the abdominal cavity during surgery, often after the affected tissue has been removed (also known as debulking) to destroy cancer cells in the peritoneum that are too small to be seen.
Information reviewed by Alexis Leal, MD, in March 2024.