A Personal Struggle
Our Golden Oliver led the way when our site came online in 1997. And, his valiant struggle and loss to lymphoma helped us channel our efforts in more healthful and holistic ways. Yet, even with reduced vaccinations, filtered water, a chemically-clean environment, organic foods, and more, we did not escape a fibrosarcoma diagnosis with our Golden Darcy in 2005. Their images, along with other Goldens who have lost such battles, are honored above. Be sure to read veterinarian, Dr. Sophia Yin's article, The Canine in the Coal Mine: Pollutants take their toll on our dogs, a great beginning to understanding the real dangers in our environment.


What is Cancer?
Cancer is an abnormal process within the body that occurs when a normal cell has been damaged and survives in a mutated form. It takes at least two to six spots of damaged DNA (code inside each cell that determines its function) before cancer can occur. Once that damage takes place, the body's defenses will often direct the cell to die or will kill the cell via the immune system. If the damaged cell survives these controls and is able to divide into two cells, and from two cells to four, and so on, then cancer may occur.

This uncontrolled growth of cancer cells can take a solid form, and localize to one part of the body as a visible mass (tumor), or in a bloodborne form, as in leukemia. As cancer continues to quickly grow beyond the control of the rest of the body, it begins to interfere with normal body functions. Sometimes a cancer cell creates a signal that disrupts normal processes distant from the tumor itself, causing changes in blood calcium, sugar, or hormones. The excess or lack of these substances then causes clinical signs.

Some cancers are better than others at metastasis. This is when a cell from the cancer tumor moves into the circulation (via blood or lymph channels) and is carried to another part of the body. If that tumor cell is able to invade the tissues at this new site, again dividing into two cells, and from two into four, and so on, then a metastasis is formed. Treatments are related to a particular cancer’s usual behavior. For a cancer that is aggressive locally (where it is first detected), local treatments such as surgery, radiation therapy, and photodynamic therapy may be used. For tumors with a high likelihood of spreading throughout the body, chemotherapy and possibly immunotherapy (immune system recognizing cancer cells to then destroy them) would be used. Some tumors cause problems both locally and systemically, necessitating a combination of surgery and chemotherapy.

According to The Animal Medical Center's Ann E. Hohenhaus, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology and Internal Medicine), the diagnosis of cancer is not always straightforward, simple, and unequivocal. Dr. Hohenhaus indicates that . . .

	Companion animals with cancer frequently have diseases other than cancer complicating the diagnosis and management of the tumor.
	A complete physical exam and full diagnostic evaluation is necessary to determine the extent of a tumor as well as the extent of the complicating diseases.
	Understanding the sensitivity and specificity of a diagnostic test is critical to accurate interpretation of lab data.
	The presence of a mass does not make a diagnosis of cancer. A biopsy or cytology is necessary to confirm or deny the presence of a neoplastic process.
	If a biopsy result does not make sense in the context of the clinical presentation of the animal, review of the tissue by another pathologist, or re-biopsy is appropriate.
	In companion animals with cancer, the prognosis of the other diseases present impacts the decision-making process regarding surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy for the tumor.

An Alarming Rate
One in three persons as well as companion animals are developing cancer, an alarming six million dogs annually diagnosed with a spontaneous, naturally occurring cancer. And, over 45% of dogs older than 10 years of age are dying of the disease, as cancer is the leading cause of death in this age group. Cases continue to increase, a recent study indicating that 63% of Goldens will die of cancer. It is believed that the next breakthrough will be in the form of targeted therapy, such as molecular targeted therapy or gene therapy.

While some tumors are noticeable, others are internal, or cause such subtle signs of illness that diagnosis is delayed. These warning signs can be present in other diseases and don't necessarily mean your dog has cancer, but the presence of any sign should prompt a vet visit ... even if it is just a tiny skin growth or minor behavior change. When in doubt, check it out! During the exam insist that the tumor be diagnosed rather than settling for a response of "let's watch it and see if it gets any bigger".

If your dog receives a cancer diagnosis, check out this fine introduction, and all of the materials here at the Land of PureGold.

Diagnostic Cancer Screening Advances vs. Buyer Beware
We recently [2012] sought out advice on the myriad of diagnostics being advertised these days. Pet parents are frantic when they learn about the disturbingly high odds that their beloved furry companion may develop cancer. As we are greatly familiar with diagnostic screening for breast, prostate & colon cancers, it seems realistic to wonder what we can be doing for our dogs. Be sure to check out Dr. Modiano's and Dr. Sharkey's advice on this evolving veterinary dilemma. Just click here. 


Disease Trumps Species . . . Comparative Oncology Importance dog
Humans and dogs have been partners for thousands of years, our canine friends quite active in the fight against cancer. In this KQED Quest film, researchers are training dogs to smell cancer in the breath samples of human patients. And, the film details how by studying cancers in dogs, we are discovering new treatments for cancer in human and canine cancer patients.

While researchers have a greater understanding of cancer biology, their artificially induced cancers in rodents have not afforded them with much success in human trials. Yet, as Dr. David Waters, Co-director of the Purdue Comparative Oncology Program indicates, dogs and humans are the only two species that develop lethal prostate cancers. And, the breast cancer that affects dogs spreads to bones, just as it does in women. Further, osteosarcoma, which is the most frequent bone cancer of dogs, presents in the same way as it does for our teenagers. In fact, under a microscope, cancer cells from a teenager with osteosarcoma are indistinguishable from a any breed dog's bone cancer cells. According to researcher, Dr. Melissa Paoloni, this sharing of genetic signature has been the genomic proof of principle that the Comparative Oncology Program researchers have been seeking.

Don't Forget

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