Canine Skin Cancer
The most common cancer in dogs is skin cancer. Most dogs will grow lumps and bumps in their lives, but not all of those bumps will be cancerous. This is why it is important to get your dog checked out by a vet for any unexplained growth on the skin in order to diagnose the condition. The earlier skin cancer can be treated, the better the dog's chances are for a cure.
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What Dogs Are More at Risk
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Some breeds of dogs are more prone to getting skin cancer than mixed-breed dogs or other kinds of purebreds. These breeds include the boxer, pug, cocker spaniel, Norwegian elk hound, bassett hound, Kerry blue Terrier, Boston terrier, bull mastiff, Weimaraner and the Scottish terrier. White dogs with pale colored skin and short hair are also more at risk. Dogs that spend most of their time out in the bright sun are also highly at risk.
When to Go to the Vet
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Any strange lump or bump should be checked out by a veterinarian. Older dogs are prone to growing skin tabs (extra little flaps of skin or wart-like growths), which are usually benign. But if the lump suddenly grows, looks red, looks balding and flaky, or if the dog is scratching and chewing at it or if the lump is in an area uncomfortable to the dog (like under the tail or in between the toes), call the vet.
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Identification
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The vet will need to take a biopsy of the lump in order to identify what kind of growth it is and if it has any chance of being malignant. Sometimes, only a small portion can be taken and put under a microscope right away to check for the presence of cancer cells If the lump is in an area hard to get to, then X-rays or MRIs may be taken. A complete blood cell count is also taken and often a urinalysis, too.
Types
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Sebaceous adenomas are usually malignant when they are over an inch long or suddenly grow. They are hairless and are cancers of the skin oil (sebaceous) glands. Melanomas are cancers of the skin's pigment (color) cells, called melanocytes, although they can appear inside a dog's mouth. This type of canine skin cancer is prone to spreading to vital organs. Basal cell tumors tend to appear in older dogs on the head or neck. They are firm, can be seen clearly against the skin and are often malignant.
Treatment
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Treatment can involve chemotherapy and medications, but often involves surgery to remove the tumor and then follow-up tests to be sure that the cancer hasn't spread.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Boxers are prone to skin cancers. Image from Wikimedia Commons.
