cancer
Our bodies and those of our pets are made up of millions of microscopic cells. Throughout our lives, these cells replicate countless times to help grow, repair damage, and replace aging tissue. Normally, this cell division and replication is controlled by the body and occurs only when needed.
However, when a cell mutates and loses control of division, it divides without limit, producing more and more abnormal cells. This uncontrolled growth is called cancer. Often, this is caused by unexpected changes or mutations in the cell's DNA. In some cases, lifestyle (such as smoking) may influence the development of cancer, but most of the time, it's a terrible chance event with no specific cause.
The danger of cancer is that abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, damaging surrounding tissue, spreading throughout the body, and depleting the body of energy and nutrients. Cancers vary depending on the cells they originate from and how quickly they grow. Tumors that grow slowly and do not cause significant damage are called "benign" tumors; tumors that grow quickly, spread throughout the body and cause damage are called "malignant" tumors.
How is cancer diagnosed?
Your veterinarian may suspect cancer if your pet suddenly experiences weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, difficulty breathing, or an enlarged abdomen. Specific symptoms depend on the location and type of cancer.
Methods of diagnosing cancer include:
- Physical examination
- blood test
- X-ray or ultrasound
- Biopsy (may use a small needle or require surgery)
Once a diagnosis is confirmed, your veterinarian can better assess appropriate treatment and overall prognosis.
How is cancer treated?
Cancer treatments vary depending on its type, location and severity. In some cases, the cancer can be completely removed with surgery. Surgery carries some risks, but is usually the first choice of treatment if the cancer has not spread to other organs.
Chemotherapy is particularly effective against spreading malignancies, such as lymphoma and leukemia. Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to target specific cancers and kill cancer cells. While chemotherapy can have side effects, they are usually milder than people expect, and successful chemotherapy can significantly extend your pet's life and improve their quality of life.
In addition, there are newer treatments, including immunotherapy (such as melanoma vaccination shots) and radiation therapy, that are suitable for certain types of tumors and may be very effective in certain circumstances.
Finally, in some cases, we may decide to keep our pet comfortable and happy without aggressive treatment to improve their quality of life.
How can we support pets with cancer?
For pets with cancer, maintaining a good diet and nutritional intake is crucial, as tumors often deplete the body's normal reserves. High-quality pet food, such as Royal Canin or Hills, will significantly help maintain nutritional balance.
I highly recommend reishi supplementation for most pets with cancer, which is a natural immune booster that helps the body fight tumors. In addition, resveratrol supplements, such as Resvantage, have also been shown to have anti-aging and anti-cancer effects.