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Canine Breast CancerCanine breast cancer is a common form of cancer among female unspayed dogs.
Breast cancer in dogs is perhaps one of the few cancers that is preventable. If a puppy is spayed before her first heat cycle (around 6 months of age), her chance of getting
breast cancer is significantly lower than that of an unspayed dog.
Take a look at these figures: if a puppy is spayed prior to her first heat, the risk of developing breast cancer later on is only about 0.05%; however, the risk goes up to
about 8% for a dog spayed after one heat and 26% for a dog spayed after her second heat!
For intact female dogs, the picture is even more grim - One out of four intact dogs over 4 years of age will probably develop one or more breast tumors in their lives,
and about half of such tumors are malignant. Additionally, about half to 75% of these malignant tumors will kill the dog by recurrence or spreading (metastasizing) to the
lungs within one to two years.
Types of Breast Tumors in DogsThere are different types of breast tumors (mammary tumors) in dogs. About half of all breast tumors in dogs are benign, and half are malignant. Common forms of benign breast tumors include "benign mixed mammary tumors" (this type of tumors is formed by a mixture of different types of cells), simple adenomas, complex adenomas, fibroadenomas, and duct papillomas. Common forms of malignant mammary tumors include tubular adenocarcinomas, papillary adenocarcinomas, papillary cystic adenocarcinomas, solid carcinomas, anaplastic carcinomas, osteosarcomas, fibrosarcomas, and malignant mixed tumors. TopSigns of Canine Breast Cancer
Breast tumors are of different sizes. They can be solid, well-defined lumps, or they can be multiple swellings. They can arise in any of the five mammary glands, but the
last two sets of glands (the 4th and 5th glands) tend to be more commonly affected.
When tumors first appear, they are small and hard and are difficult to move around under the skin.
Breast tumors that are benign are often smooth, small and slow growing. However, malignant tumors usually grow rapidly and have irregular shapes. They may also be
ulcerated and bleeding.
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Causes of Canine Breast CancerIt is believed that sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone) produced by a dog's ovaries cause a harmful sensitization of the breast tissue cells. This hormonal influence eventually causes the genes of the tissue cells to mutate and turn into cancerous cells.Risk Factors for Canine Breast CancerUnspayed middle-aged or older female dogs are at high risk of developing breast cancer. Breed-wise, poodles, terriers and cockers seem to have greater incidence of breast cancer. German shepherds, doberman pinschers, and Nordic breeds seem to do poorly once having developed breast cancer. TopDiagnosis of Canine Breast CancerTo determine the type of tumor and whether it is benign or malignant, a biopsy or tumor removal and analysis are needed. As well, a chest x-ray and physical inspection of the lymph nodes are needed to determine if the cancer has spread to the surrounding lymph nodes or to the lungs.Treatment for Canine Breast Cancer
Surgery is the treatment of choice for breast cancer in dogs, unless the dog patient is very old and weak. Depending on the judgment of the veterinarian, either a
lumpectomy (removing only the tumor itself) or a more aggressive surgery (removing the tumor as well as the rest of the mammary tissue and lymph nodes that drain with the
gland) will be done. If multiple tumors are found, a radical mastectomy may be required. It means all the breasts, the skin covering them, and the four lymph nodes are
all removed at the same time.
Sometimes, follow-up radiation may be needed to help reduce local recurrence.
Chemotherapy may be used to reduce the ability of the circulating cancer cells to spread to the lungs and establish colonies there.
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Natural Remedies for Canine Breast CancerAlthough natural remedies such as herbs, homeopathic remedies, and natural supplements may not be able to destroy tumors, they are nonetheless effective in strengthening the immune system, making the body stronger to fight against diseases such as cancer. A natural, raw diet is also important for dogs with cancer such as mammary tumors. Some dog parents have reported success in using the herbal formula "Essiac" to treat canine cancer, while others swear by such remedies as the "Budwig Diet". For more information on these and other natural remedies for canine cancer, please visit our pages on Herbs for Cancer in Dogs and Dog Cancer Diet.Related Topics Dog Cancer Symptoms of Dog Cancer Conventional Cancer Treatment for Dog Patients Herbs for Cancer in Dogs Dog Cancer Diet References S. Messonnier, The Natural Vet's Guide to Preventing and Treating Cancer in Dogs (New World Library, 2006). A.D. Shojai, New Choices in Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats (Rodale Press, Inc., 1999). TOP OF Canine Breast Cancer |
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