Oncology

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Diagnosing transitional cell carcinoma can be a difficult clinical challenge. Clinical signs (pollakiuria, dysuria, stranguria, and hematuria) are nonspecific, and differential diagnoses include granulomatous cystitis, other neoplastic diseases (lymphoma, rhabdomyosarcoma), a persistent or recurrent urinary tract infection, and urinary calculi-the latter two of which may occur concurrently with transitional cell carcinoma.

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Oral tumors are the fourth most common cancer in dogs and represent 6 percent of all canine cancers. The most common malignant tumors in dogs are melanoma, fibrosarcoma, SCC and osteosarcoma. Benign tumors include the epulides (ossifying, fibromatous and acanthomatous) and other odontogenic tumors. In cats, oral tumors make up 3 percent of all feline cancers. SCC is the most common malignant tumor followed by fibrosarcoma. Benign oral tumors are much less common in cats.

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Soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) are common for a practitioner to see as they compromise up to 15 percent of all skin tumors in dogs. The terms spindle-cell tumors and mesenchymal tumors have also been used to describe these tumors. STS are considered to be a family of tumors given that they are all derived from connective tissues and have a similar biologic behavior regardless of the histologic type (see Table 1). Histiocytic sarcomas, oral sarcomas, hemangiosarcoma and synovial cell sarcoma are generally not included given that these tumors have a different biologic behavior.

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Recent publications, ongoing prospective studies, and better knowledge of the available therapeutic options should provide the necessary framework for appropriate pain management in cancer-bearing pets.

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Lymphoma is the most common hematopoietic neoplasm affecting both dogs and cats and results from the malignant transformation of lymphocytes.

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Although amputation has traditionally been used to palliatively manage affected dogs, treatment modalities including limb salvage, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are evolving. This overview of emerging therapies will help you educate owners about treatment options for dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma.

Because you will likely encounter canine cutaneous mast cell tumors in your practice, this review article focuses on summarizing the therapeutic options available for treating canine mast cell tumors. With a better understanding of available treatment regimens, you will be able to educate and guide pet owners regarding the treatment options that may best suit their dogs.

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Cancer is a leading cause of death in pet dogs and cats. It is estimated that almost 50 percent of geriatric dogs and 33 percent of cats will die of cancer. As the pet population in the United States continues to age, cancer in pet animals is expected to become an even more significant problem in the field of animal health.