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Dogs love to lie in the sun and soak up the warmth from the rays just as much as we do, but did you know that dogs can get skin cancer, too? It’s easy to forget that dogs are susceptible to sunburns – after all, they are covered in fur, but not their noses or their paw pads, which can and will burn if they stay out in the sun too long, unprotected.
Caninecancer.com writes, “The cause of most skin cancers in dogs is unknown. Exposure to the sun has been shown to cause a higher incidence of three types of skin cancer: squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and hemangioma. There may be a genetic basis for the development of certain cancers as certain breeds of dogs have been found to have a higher incidence of skin cancer. These include Boxers, Scottish Terriers, Bullmastiffs, Basset Hounds, Weimaraners, Kerry Blue Terriers and Norwegian Elkhounds.”
Pets.webMD.com says, “Additionally, pooches with light-colored or thin coats are more susceptible to sun damage over their entire bodies.”
Sadly, skin cancers are the most common tumors in dogs, accounting for roughly one-third of all tumors. There are many types of skin cancer but mast cell tumors (MCTs or mastocytomas) occur most often.
Skin cancers may appear on or near the surface of the skin (these are called superficial), or they may appear under the skin, or subcutaneous, as masses. It is extremely important to learn the difference between benign lesions and malignant masses. Caninecancer.com states that 20 to 30 percent of skin cancers found in dogs are malignant.
“Some dermal masses with malignant potential are mistaken for benign lesions, therefore it is important to have all skin masses evaluated by a veterinarian quickly after they are detected,” caninecancer.com states.
Skin cancer, like most cancers, occurs more frequently in middle-aged to senior dogs, although some skin cancers can occur in younger dogs.
What Types of Skin Cancers Can Dogs Get?
There are several different types of skin cancers dogs can get, but three cancers are most common.
According to pets.webMD.com, they include:
Malignant melanoma: This type of skin cancer affects pigmented cells known as melanocytes. Dogs often develop benign tumors in pigmented cells that do not metastasize(spread to other organs), which are called melanocytomas. These are often found on the hairy areas of the dog’s body, but they can also be found on the mouth or mucous membranes.
This type of skin cancer grows quickly and will spread to other organs like the liver and lungs.
There is no known cause, but genetics seem to play a significant role in its development. Trauma to or compulsively licking a particular spot on the skin may trigger the cells to multiply and mutate during the division process and become cancerous.
Squamous cell carcinoma: This type of skin cancer is often caused by sun exposure, although scientists think there may be a connection between the papilloma virus and squamous cell tumors in certain breeds.
Squamous cell carcinoma occurs in the epidermis. These cancerous cells will not spread to surrounding lymph nodes, but it is an aggressive cancer nonetheless and may destroy much of the skin tissue surrounding the tumor.
Mast cell tumors: The most common of the three, this cancer develops in the mast cells of the immune system. Unfortunately, veterinarians are at a loss as to what causes mast cell tumors to develop, although there have been cases where it has been linked to inflammation or irritants on the skin. Scientific evidence suggests genetics could factor in as a cause as well as the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
What are the Symptoms of Skin Cancer in Dogs?
Just like in humans, skin cancer often presents itself as a lump. The skin may be red and/or flaky and itchy, which could cause your dog to lick, bite or scratch at the infected area.
Caninecancer.com writes, “Systemic symptoms depend on the location and type of tumor, how aggressive it is and whether it has metastasized.”
Systemic symptoms include:
Appetite loss
Vomiting (it may be bloody)
Diarrhea
Lethargy
Coughing
Wounds that do not heal
Enlarged lymph nodes
Abdominal pain
Dark or black feces
Itchiness
Irregular heart rhythm and blood pressure
Labored breathing
Various bleeding disorders
Also just like in people, early detection is key to fighting your dog’s skin cancer. It is crucial to give your dog a thorough exam at least once a month that includes looking in your dog’s mouth and under his tail.
If he is presenting any of the following symptoms, get him to the vet immediately.
Any lumps and bumps
Scaly or crusty lesions
Areas of skin that have changed color
Lesions or tumors that do seem to heal or bleed easily
Swelling in the breast tissue
Discharge from a nipple
How is Skin Cancer Treated?
Mast cell tumor on a 3-year-old Boxer
Treatment depends on the type of tumor and how advanced the disease is when your dog is diagnosed.
The following treatment options, according to caninecancer.com, include:
Surgery: Only if the tumor has not spread and can be removed entirely without compromising the associated tissues. Your vet may recommend radiation prior to the surgery to reduce the size of the tumor so that the surgery is more successful at fully removing the tumor.
Radiation: As mentioned, this is used to reduce the size of the tumor if it cannot be successfully removed with surgery.
Chemotherapy: This is used for cancers that have spread to other tissues.
Cryosurgery: This procedure involves freezing the tumor and surrounding skin for removal. It is used only with small tumors.
Photodynamic therapy: This new treatment employs the use of a dye, which is injected into the bloodstream, localizing the cancer cells. A laser is then used to excite the cells and cause them to die.
In June 2009, the FDA approved a drug called Palladia. It is used to treat skin-based mast cell tumors, which are responsible for one in five cases of canine skin cancer.
What is the Prognosis for Skin Cancer?
It depends on the type of cancer, where it’s located and how advanced the disease is.
“Surgery is often the first step for malignant melanomas. If the melanoma cannot be removed in its entirety, or if it has spread to nearby lymph nodes, radiation is commonly used. In these situations, the cancer may go into remission nearly 70 percent of the time, though recurrence is common. Chemotherapy is often used in combination with surgery and/or radiation therapy. There is also a vaccine that causes the dog’s own immune system to attack tumor cells, which often successfully extends the survival time of dogs with oral melanoma,” according to pets.webMD.com.
Luckily, squamous cell carcinomas can often be removed surgically, without radiation or chemotherapy. If the tumors are in inoperable locations, photodynamic therapy and the drug piroxicam may be beneficial in treating the cancer.
The best treatment for mast cell tumors is surgery, with or without radiation therapy, depending on the size and location of the skin cancer. Taking into account the grade and the degree to which the cancer has spread, chemotherapy and/or steroids may be used.
If the cancer is too advanced, or the dog has other health complications, the only option is to make them as comfortable as possible.
Find A Vet HOW TO articles are intended for informational purposes only. You should always consult with your veterinarian about any health issues affecting your dog.
PHOTOS: AceXXL, Joel Mills
Sonya Simpkins
Sonya Simpkins is a contributing writer for i Love Dogs, Inc. In her spare time, she loves to take her dogs for long hikes and treks to the beach, out to eat and on long road trips across the county. She then turns those adventures into useful advice for other dog parents who also love to take their dogs with them wherever they go.
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Category : CANINE CANCER &HOW TO
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Sullytex10 – We’re so sorry about Bella, and hope she recovers soon. Here’s an article by our Ask a Vet, Dr. Patrick Mahaney, about the health issues that can affect Boxers: http://www.ilovedogs.com/2011/02/beware-of-these-boxer-health-issues/. Hope this helps.
I have a WHITE boxer with a growth on her Rt ear. it has went from a pimple looking bump to a huge looking wart the size of a penny in a matter of 9 days. It is a cancer tumer. My vet told me when I first adopted Bella that I would have nothing but trouble with her due to being pink skinned! Does anyone else own or know of White boxers and trouble with the skin?
[...] causes and dangers of skin cancer – but an interesting article caught our attention today. Find A Vet recently published an article about the types of skin cancer most common in our loyal friends and [...]
[...] Skin Cancer Symptom and Some Simple Ways to Protect Yourself from The Disease It is important for people to know about skin cancer and skin cancer symptoms. Cancer has become a common disease nowadays, and there are many available treatments for it, but still, it still takes millions of lives every year. This is because most people do not detect or discover that they are already suffering from cancer until the later stages, when the cancer has already affected much of the body parts, and the body begins to show obvious skin cancer symptoms. Out of all kinds of cancer, skin cancer occurs the most, with over a million victims each year. Unlike other cancers, however, skin cancer can be easily detected and can be prevented before it gets worse. Skin cancer is classified into melanoma and non-melanoma. Non-melanoma is easily curable, while melanoma is the more serious and fatal type. The identification of skin cancer symptoms, especially in melanoma cases, can make or break a person's chances of survival. Several skin cancer symptoms that are easily detectable are alterations in the appearance of the skin. The skin may look sun-damaged and have a scaly texture. The lips may also be affected, seeming rough, dry, scaly, and sometimes swelling. Discovering an alien sore, which origin is uncertain, can also be a sign of skin cancer. Many people can be heard saying that prevention is so much better than cure. There are easy ways to help prevent skin cancer: •Do not stay in the sun for too long. •Use UV protection creams with SPF 30 or above. •Make a habit of using wide brimmed hats when exposed to too much sun heat. Aside from being able to determine early skin cancer symptoms, these few simple ways can be very helpful in your fight against skin cancer. [caption id="attachment_118" align="alignnone" width="164" caption="symptoms of skin cancer"][/caption][caption id="attachment_117" align="alignleft" width="272" caption="symptoms of skin cancer"][/capti...ign="center"> [...]