Skin Cancer in Dogs



Skin Cancer in Dogs

Definition of tumour, cancer, introduce types of skin cancer in dogs

The word cancer is derived from the Latin word for crab because it grabs onto something and will not let go. The term cancer refers to a new growth which will invade surrounding tissues, metastasize (spread to other organs) and may eventually lead to the patient's death if untreated(Bennett, 2010).. We often hear about cancer from friends and family and in the news. The terms tumor and cancer are sometimes used synonymously which can be misleading. A tumor is not necessarily a cancer. The word tumor simply refers to a mass. For example, a collection of pus is by definition a tumor. A cancer is a particularly threatening type of tumor. It is helpful to keep these distinctions clear when discussing a possible cancer diagnosis (Brønden, 2010).

There are different types of dog skin cancers. Three of the most common include:

Malignant melanoma. Just as in people, malignant melanoma is a type of skin cancer in dogs that affects pigmented cells known as melanocytes. Dogs often develop benign tumors in pigmented cells that do not metastasize, which are called melanocytomas. These tumors are found on areas of the dog's body that have hair (Bennett, 2010).

Most malignant melanomas occur on the mouth or mucous membranes, although about 10% of the time they are found on parts of the body covered with hair. They tend to grow extremely fast and are likely to spread to other organs, including the lungs and liver. No one knows exactly why melanomas develop, although genetic factors seem to play a role. Additionally, trauma or compulsive licking of a particular spot on the skin may increase the likelihood that cells will multiply, thereby raising the chances that cells will mutate during the division process and become cancerous (Bonnett , 2010).

Squamous cell carcinoma. This form of dog skin cancer, which occurs in the epidermis, is often caused by exposure to the sun. Scientists believe there may also be a connection between the papilloma virus and the development of squamous cell tumors in certain dogs. Although squamous cell cancers do not spread to surrounding lymph nodes, they are aggressive and may lead to destruction of much of the tissue around the tumor (Brønden, 2010).

Skin Tumour In Dog Epidemiology Worldwide (Prevalence of canine skin tumours )

The skin tumors are relatively frequent, especially in dog, horses, bovines and cats. There exists a varied incidence in different domestic animals, but especially a large diversity of tumor types. Indifferently on adopted principles by different authors, the skin primary tumors have in view the skin ectodermal and mesodermal origin, to which are added the epidermal annexes' structures. The classification formulas of skin tumors were multiple, some of them especially elaborated, with theoretical attempts to comprise many aspects (morphological -optic microscopy, electron microscopy, morph physiological etc.), and other ones having practical character concerning the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.

Skin cancers are the most common tumor in dogs, accounting for ...