Many types of skin tumors, both benign (not cancerous) and malignant (cancer), exist. Approximately 20-40% of primary skin tumors are malignant in dogs and 50-65% are malignant in cats. Not all forms of skin cancer in cats and dogs are caused by exposure to sunlight, but can occur occasionally. In dogs, noses and foot pads contain sensitive skin and no hairs to protect from the sun. In addition, cats and dogs with thin or light-colored coats are at higher risk for sun damage throughout their bodies.
Video Skin cancer in cats and dogs
Diagnosis
Typically, cytological or cytological analysis of the suspected mass is performed prior to initiation of treatment. The common diagnostic procedures used for skin tumors are fine-needle aspiration cytology and tissue biopsy.
Cytology is an important tool that can help veterinarians distinguish tumors from inflammatory lesions. The biopsy technique used will depend on the size and location of the tumor. The small mass is usually completely cut off and sent to the pathology lab to ensure that the surrounding healthy tissue that is cut along with the tumor does not contain cancer cells. If the tumor is larger, the small sample is removed for analysis and depending on the outcome, the appropriate treatment is selected. Depending on the type of tumor and the level of aggressiveness, additional diagnostic tests may include blood tests to assess the overall health of the pets, chest x-rays to examine pulmonary metastases, and abdominal ultrasound to examine metastasis to other internal organs.
Maps Skin cancer in cats and dogs
Treatment
Specific treatment will depend on the type of tumor, location, size, and whether the cancer has spread to other organs. Surgical removal of the tumor remains the standard treatment of choice, but additional forms of therapy such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy are present.
When detected earlier, skin cancers in cats and dogs can often be successfully treated. In many cases, a biopsy can remove all tumors, as long as healthy tissue is removed from outside the area of ​​the tumor containing no cancer cells.
References
External links
- Skin Cancer in Cats and Dogs from Pet Cancer Center
- Dog Skin Cancer from CanineCancer.com '
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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