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#PetCancerAwarenessMonth takes place each November, and according to Colorado State University, 1 in 4 dogs and 1 in 5 cats will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their life. Over the next few weeks, we'll be sharing useful information about cancer in pets, including common types, clinical signs to watch for, diagnostic methods, and various treatment protocols.

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Sadly, cancer is the leading cause of death in pets middle-aged and older, and certain types of cancer are more common than others.

The six most diagnosed canine cancers are:

• Lymphoma (approximately 24% of all new canine cancer diagnoses)
• Osteosarcoma (most common primary bone tumor in dogs)
• Mast cell tumors (most common skin tumor in dogs)
• Oral melanoma
• Hermangiosarcoma (cancer of the cells lining blood vessels)
• Transitional cell carcinoma (cancer of the urinary system)

In cats, the four most diagnosed cancers are:

• Lymphoma - can affect cats of any age
• Squamous cell carcinoma - the most common oral tumor
• Fibrosarcoma - cancer of the soft tissue
• Mammary tumors - most commonly spreads to other locations

[source: Colorado State University, Flint Animal Cancer Center]

No one wants to think about their pet having cancer, but it's important to know common signs to watch for. Being able to spot these changes in your pet can help your veterinarian make an earlier diagnosis, which can help improve the prognosis. Signs of concern include changes in appetite, unexplained weight loss, difficulty eating, a swollen abdomen, lameness/stiffness, lethargy, wounds that won't heal, and abnormal swellings. Coughing, collapse, and excessive thirst are also signs to discuss with your veterinarian. If you notice any of these signs, contact our clinic right away to schedule an exam by calling [Insert Clinic Phone Number].

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There are a variety of diagnostic procedures that your veterinarian may turn to if they suspect your pet may have cancer. With some cancers, a fine needle aspirate is used to gather cells from a mass or suspicious area so they can then be examined under a microscope. Biopsies involve collecting tissues from the area in question, and then, having a pathologist perform a comprehensive analysis. X-rays and other imaging methods-like an MRI-can be used to assess the extent of the cancer, and many clinics now have access to ultrasound technologies to further evaluate the potential spread of a tumor.

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Today, there are a variety of treatment options that can potentially extend and/or impact your pet's quality of life after a cancer diagnosis.

Current options include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, cryosurgery, hyperthermia, and immunotherapy. Primary care veterinarians may offer some of these options, but more complex therapies require the care of a veterinary oncologist. Sometimes, a combination of treatments and therapies are used for a multi-modal approach depending on the type of cancer.

While some human drugs are occasionally used off-label in veterinary medicine, there are some newer medications that have either received either full or conditional approval to treat certain canine cancers.

Another option for some pet owners may be enrolling the pet in a clinical trial, which is usually conducted through a university. To see a list of ongoing clinical trials and to consider whether your pet may be a candidate, visit the AVMA Animal Health Studies Database at https://ebusiness.avma.org/aahsd/study_search.aspx

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When people hear the word "cancer," they often think of chemotherapy treatments and how it affects humans. However, chemotherapy does not affect pets the same way it does people. In human medicine, the goal is to hopefully cure the patient with the elimination of all cancer cells. Treatment is generally more intensive with higher doses of drugs and comes with a higher risk of adverse events. In veterinary medicine, the goal is usually to slow progression of the cancer while preserving the pet's quality of life. Because pets generally receive drugs at smaller doses and less frequently, the side effects are generally milder.

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The goal of cancer treatment is to prolong length of life while preserving quality of life. While it's ultimately up to pet owners to make therapeutic decisions--including difficult ones like euthanasia--your pet's veterinary team can make recommendations to ensure the quality of life expectations are being met.