Lymphosarcoma is one of the most common types of cancers seen. It is also referred to as lymphoma or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In dogs, many different species develop Lymphosarcoma. Like any other cancer, this one can “metastasize”, which means it can spread and affect other organs and tissues.
Most dogs get a type of Lymphosarcoma that originates the lymph nodes and usually the nodes under the jaw get swollen. Sometimes this is the only symptom your dog will have. But the jaw is not the only place where this disease can begin. Some forms of Lymphosarcoma begin in the bone marrow, the chest, abdomen, or even the skin.
DIAGNOSIS
It is difficult to detect the Lymphosarcoma because it can spread to many places in the body. So full analysis is essential to determine this disease and also establish the stage of disease. It is very important to determine the stage of the disease and decide the kind of treatment and the right dosage. Vets usually do the following tests in order to detect the stages:
* Cytology – checking the lymph node cells
* Blood work
* Abdominal radiographs
* Abdominal ultrasound
* Bone marrow analysis
Most of the times, the vets do just a few of the tests listed above. Even a few of the tests alone can determine the stage and if the dog can be submitted to the treatment.
DISEASE STAGES OF EVOLUTION
Lymphosarcoma has 4 stages.
In state I the cancer exists in just one lymph node. This stage is rarely diagnosed in pets.
In stage II the disease has spread to more than one node and has occupied a body region.
In stage III the cancer is in the nodes but has spread in the body.
In stage IV the Lymphosarcoma has reached the liver or the spleen.
There is also a stage V and it refers to all the stages above but with cancer spread to the bone marrow or the blood or any other organ.
The main stages have sub stages: “A” and “B”.
“A” means the patient doesn’t have the illness. “B” means the patient displays clinical symptoms like fluid in the lungs, vomiting or diarrhea.
Stage IIIA is the earliest detected and it can be treated.
MEANS OF TREATMENT
Many people have heard of chemotherapy. This means treatment with chemicals. The dog anti-cancer drugs, orally, intravenously, or subcutaneously. The good fact is that animals have a high tolerance to anti-cancer drugs, far better than humans. Also, side effects because of the treatment appear only in 5 cases out of 100.
Some of the most common questions a dog owner has are:
Is the dog going to lose the hair? Usually, they don’t. But poodles and old English Sheepdogs are predisposed to lose their hair after chemotherapy. But don’t worry. It will grow back. Keep in mind that Lymphosarcoma treatable but not curable.
Will the disease come back and how long will it last? This depends on the type of Lymphosarcoma the dog has. But with the latest medical advances, approximately 90% of dogs achieve a complete remission. The average remission is between 8 and 12 months.
What happens after the dog comes out of remission? It can be treated just like the first time. Also, the second and third remissions are treatable.
The whole cost of the treatment begins at about $500 and can go up to $2,000 in case of a large pet.
Posts Tagged ‘Cancer’
Dog's Health: Lymphosarcoma Cancer
January 31st, 2010 
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All about Benign Breast Cancer
January 31st, 2010 admin There are many causes of benign breast cancer. These are the changes in the breast tissue, any breast infection or injury, and any medicine that are taken that have caused the lumps or the breast pain. Changes in the tissues of a woman’s breasts occur with the fluctuating levels of estrogen and progesterone during the menstrual cycle.
Types of Benign Breast Conditions
There are many types of lumps and conditions in the breast that are benign and it is very important to know them so that you will not have to be unnecessarily alarmed when you find a lump in one or both of your breasts.
   * Fibrocystic changes. This increases the size and tenderness in the breast before the menstrual period. These lumps are just milk ducts and surrounding tissues that have grown and dilated to form cysts. The lumps that are formed may be hard or rubbery. Fibrocystic changes are often noticeable among women in their 40s.
   * Simple cysts. These are just fluid filled cysts that change in size with the woman’s menstrual cycles.
   * Fibroademonas. These are considered the most common benign tumors in a female breast. They are solid, round, and rubbery, and they can move freely in the breast once they are pushed upon and it is usually painless. This type of benign breast condition is due to the excessive formation of the milk producing glands and the surrounding breast tissue. This condition will most likely occur in women between the age of 20 and 30.
   * Intraductal papillomas. This condition is characterized by small, wart-like growths in the lining of the mammary duct near the nipple area and women between the age of 45 and 50 are the most likely to be affected.
   * Traumatic fatnecrosis. This condition will occur if a trauma like an injury occurs in the breast and the characteristics of the lumps are round, firm, hard, single, and usually painless.
What You Should Do If You Find A Lump
Once you discover a lump in your breast you should immediately see a physician because it might be a benign breast cancer condition. It is recommended to see a doctor right away if you find the following in your breasts:
   * An area that is distinctly different from another area in either breasts
   * A lump or a thickening near the breast or the underarm that is persistent
   * A change in the size, shape, and contour of the breast
   * A mass or lump in your breast
   * Changes in the feel or appearance of the skin on the breast or the nipple.
   * They are dimpled, puckered, and appear scaly or even inflamed.
   * A bloody or clear fluid discharge from the nipples
   * Redness in the skin on the nipple area or anywhere on the breast
A monthly examination of the breast is recommended to detect any abnormalities that are found in the breast and to prevent any development of benign breast lumps.
Cure for Cancer Lied About by Doctors?
January 31st, 2010 admin “The People” have had enough apparently!
An “insider” revealed today that the “World of Medicine” is scamming people – and even worse: with the help of “law-makers!”
It seems that “money” (as usual) has blinded doctors and medical practitioners to the degree that they are now willingly *suppressing* the truth regarding cancer – its control, management, and even its cure!
That’s right: “cure!”
And what should shock you even more:
It seems that it’s against the law to say the word “cure” when describing anything that actually cures you.
Yet it’s very much okay to say that something “treats” or helps “offset” the symptoms of some health condition or disease.
But if you say “cure” (and even including when you in fact have a real and bona fide cure for something and can even prove it!) you can get arrested.
Ever wonder why we have a “healthcare” industry and not a “healthcure” industry?
It’s simply because no one’s out to “cure” anyone because there’s little money in doing so.
Instead, keeping you sick and marginally pain-free is all anyone’s really out to do for you these days – as doing so means you being “forced” to buy all the same drugs over and over again, and again, and … (you get the point!)
Of course, if a cure came along it would mean you buy it one time, and then you’re cured – and that’s that (over and done!)
But a number of doctors, philanthropists, and just plain old “good folks” armed with “real answers” and “real solutions” are stepping up and are NOT afraid of “Uncle Big-Bully Brother!”
One courageous fellow by the name of Melford Bibens, CPT, is doing exactly this, as he’s helped many people overcome “naturally” the dreaded disease of Cancer!
Not only that, but Melford has lectured and personally helped individuals beat the disease to the point that proven sufferers have actually gotten re-diagnoses as “no longer having the disease at all!” (Something that’s pretty much always been ruled out as a possibility altogether! – and now which may even be against the law!)
But it’s not certain how long Melford will be allowed to do this because “Uncle Sambo” has actually started using “Gestapo” tactics whereby people and businesses truly offering “cures” have been raided with masked armed police who even go to the point of forcing customers in the stores to get down on the floor at gunpoint!
So, if you’re wise and want to find out about this while it’s still possible for you to do so, then just visit this link now:
   ~~~>  http://www.UltimateCancerSolution.com/amdigital
But don’t be surprised if one day soon you return to find this site completely removed with a US Flag waving in its place (in the name of “freedom” no less!)
Golf – Mickelson Steps out of PGA Tour as Wife is Diagnosed with Cancer
January 31st, 2010 admin By Audrey Nolan The World No. 2 golf player Phil Mickelson announced on Wednesday that he is stepping out from the PGA tour schedule indefinitely since his wife, Amy Mickelson, was diagnosed with breast cancer. According to his management office, his wife will have to be submitted to some more tests but she will start the treatment as soon as possible, and she will be submitted to surgery as well, while Phil will stay beside her to help her overcome this hard situation.
Mickelson was scheduled to participate in the Byron Nelson Championship that is being held this week and he was supposed to defend his Crowne Plaza Invitational title at Colonial next week as well, but that is still uncertain due to the new announcement. In addition, his participation on this year’s US Open would be on hold while he waits for the results from Amy’s surgery and treatment. Many people involved with the PGA Tour have already expressed their sympathy with Mickelson and his wife. “We see Amy as this vibrant, bubbly mother of three who is tremendously devoted to her husband and family,” veteran golfer Jack Nicklaus said. “No one, especially Amy, deserves to have to face the battle that accompanies cancer. But we know that Amy has this amazing inner strength and spirit, and with Phil’s unwavering love and support, they will fight and overcome this.” Amy and Phil have always been very close to each other; she is always giving support to Phil in all the competitions that he participates in. She is also a very committed mother and wife; she can be seen in the tournaments with their three kids showing love and a positive spirit to her husband who is very committed to her too.
Scott Verplank, who knows Mickelson well and has played with him in two Ryder Cup teams and two President Cup teams, said that he felt really bad when he found out of Amy’s condition, since for him she is a very neat person who always has a smile on her face and that he hopes they can treat this situation successfully since they discovered the illness in a early stage.
Breast cancer survivor Sarah Strange, who is the wife of former Ryder Cup captain Curtis Strange, also said that she knows that Amy is going to overcome this difficult situation and that she will move forward with confidence because of the upbeat personality that she has; she also expressed that she could share all of her experiences with Amy since she has already gone through the same and that she would give her all her support because she deserves it as she was always supportive to her when her husband was the captain of the team. Amy and Phil Mickelson met each other in 1992 and got married in 1996.
They have three kids together: Amanda, Sophia and Evan of 9, 7 and 6 years. When is Phil going to be back in the Tour is still very uncertain. All of this occurs when Mickelson rival, Tiger Woods, is back from and eight months leave due to a knee surgery; however, his priorities have obviously changed completely now. We hope the best for this great player, his wife and his entire family.
Ovarian Cancer – You Need to Cure It
January 31st, 2010 admin If your doctor tells you that you have a complex ovarian mass, this means you have a growth on your ovary that has both cystic (fluid filled) and solid components on ultrasound. In most cases, this is an uncomfortable, but harmless condition. Rarely, this mass is cancerous. Of women who are tested for ovarian cancer, less than 1 in 1000 actually has cancer.
Most cervical cases of cancer develop after a woman has been diagnosed with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Cervical and breast cancer is better detected during its early stages of development to avoid severe complications that especially arise if cancerous cells have already spread up to the heart or vagina’s surface. Too much delay before treatment allows the cancer cells to spread to the entire body. If they do, then nothing much can really be done to save a patient’s life because at this stage the cancer is said to be in the terminal phase.
Some woman do not have normal ovaries, instead they have developed polycystic ovaries which are ovaries where the follicles do not disintegrate after ovulation. Instead these follicles gather and form in clumps inside the ovaries. Generally speaking, polycystic ovaries are not bothersome and do not effect the chances of a woman becoming pregnant, however they can cause problems.
Most women that are interested in natural ovarian cures want them cured permanently, not just a quick fix. This is why surgery is not the best option for those that want long term relief. Surgery will not stop future cyst from coming back. Medications will not cure your cyst either. Your family doctor might prescribe birth control pills for women that have ovarian cysts, but this is not a good a good solution for the long term. These pills contain both female and male hormones, and these pills will stop an egg from being released.
Should a patient experience a fever or vomiting along with very severe pelvic pain…that is cause for alarm and should be considered an emergency! Another warning sign of problematic ovarian cysts is a rapid heartbeat, which is accompanied by dizziness, weakness or faintness. A woman’s doctor needs to be contacted without delay if any of the aforementioned symptoms are present. An additional concern for a woman is abnormal bleeding…or bleeding in between periods.
The main problem with traditional medicine is that it only treats what is going on right now with your body, not dealing with what can happen in the future. Another thing is that, many of the treatments and drugs that your doctor will give you can be almost as painful and damaging as the cysts themselves. Cyst Symptom will keep on happening until you can find a way to prevent them. The best thing that you can do is find a natural cure for your cyst symptom.
Even if your ovaries were removed, there is a chance that some ovarian tissue was left behind. If you had cysts before, especially large cysts, the cells from the ovaries may have migrated to the surrounding tissue, such as the small intestine. This remainder can still produce follicles, which can grow into cysts.
Preventing Breast Cancer
January 31st, 2010 admin Breast cancer is the commonest cancer of women in the world. It can happen to anybody, young or old, married or single. One in 5 women is at the risk of developing breast cancer in her lifetime in USA. In India the incidence is slightly lower but it is increasing.
A lot of research is being done to find the cause and cure of breast cancer. Cause of breast cancer is still unknown. Certain cancer genes have been identified that run in families or can occur newly by mutation in women without any family gene. Tests are available to detect such a gene so that extra precautions can be taken to detect cancer early in women with such genes. Since the advances in plastic surgery have made it possible to create attractive new breasts, women who are genetically at high risk can go for removal of breasts and reconstruction.
Prevention gives the best chance of cure. You can beat the cancer by being cautious and detecting it early. Remember cancer starts as a painless lump in the breast and you have the best chance of detecting it yourself. By Breast self examination ( BSE). This is how you can do It:
* Stand in front of a mirror with top exposed.
* Place hands on hips.
* Look for signs of dimpling, swelling, soreness, or redness in all parts of your breasts in the mirror.
* Repeat with arms raised above your head.
* While still standing, palpate your breasts with your fingers, feeling for lumps. Try to use a larger area of your fingers rather than prodding. Feel both for the area just beneath the skin and for the tissue deeper within.
* Go over the entire breast while examining. One method is to divide the breast into quadrants and palpate each quadrant carefully. Also examine the “axillary tail” of each breast that extends toward the armpit.
* Repeat palpation while lying down.
* Check the nipples and the area just beneath them. Gently squeeze each nipple to check for any discharge.
Breasts tend to feel different in different parts of menstrual cycle. Therefore BSE should be done 7-10 days after the first day of periods, every month. Once you get the feel of your breasts it will be easy for you to detect any change and you will be able to differentiate normal breast feel from that of a lump.
If you have detected a lump or nodule do not panic, because 8 out of ten times these are harmless. You should go to an expert surgeon for examination. She/he may advise further testing if needed like mammography( breast X ray) and sonography of breast -both of which are painless .Fine needle biopsy may also be needed to get the diagnosis.
If the lump is benign (harmless) it can be left alone or can be removed through small incision. If it is malignant (cancer) and detected early (less than 2 cm size lump) then it is possible to have breast preserving surgery wherein only the lump with surrounding rim of normal breast is removed leaving behind rest of the breast and radiation to the breast. For bigger cancers treatment usually involves total removal of breast and chemotherapy, with or without radiotherapy. Plastic surgical breast reconstruction is commonly done after total removal of breast. If the cancer is detected in early stage, very long survival 20 years or more is known after complete treatment.
After the age of 40 yearly mammography can be done to detect any minute cancer. It is like an X ray and is painless. Early detection not only allows for breast preservation but also increases the chances of cure.