lymphoma node cancer | Multicentric lymphomas in Dogs

Multicentric lymphomas in Dogs

The dog's multicentred lymphomas represent a set of cancers that initially affect certain white blood cells, lymphocytes, at the level of lymph nodes (= ganglia), spleen, liver and bone marrow. There are other types of lymphoma, affecting for example the digestive system, the nervous system, the lungs, the skin...

What are the typical signs of a multicentric lymphoma in dogs?

In the vast majority of cases, the call sign is the palpation of "masses" under the skin at the neck, forward of the shoulders and behind the knees. Sometimes the dog can be slaughtered, and have a diminishing appetite.

How to diagnose multicentric lymphoma in dogs?

During a typical clinical presentation, the veterinarian will quickly perform a puncture of the lymph nodes using a fine needle following his full clinical examination. This sampling will allow a very reliable cytological analysis by a specialized laboratory.

Additional analyses for accurately defining the type of lymphoma are necessary (histopathological analysis, phenotyping by Flow cytometry or immunohistochemistry...).

Lymphomas are cancers with a strong tendency to generalization. The extension balance will include a blood and urinary balance, X-rays of the lungs, an ultrasound of the abdomen, punctures of the liver and spleen, a myelogram.

What is the treatment of multicentric lymphomas in dogs?

The treatment of multicentric lymphoma in dogs will depend on the initial type, especially the grade of cancer. Thus, during low-grade lymphoma (= indolent), regular clinical surveillance may be recommended.

In most cases, however, multicentric lymphomas are high-grade (= aggressive). Chemotherapy involving several medications (multi-agent chemotherapy) is the standard of care in veterinary medicine. Different complex protocols can be used according to the clinical situation, the availability of the owner, the financial possibilities, and the veterinarian oncologist.

What is the prognosis for multicenter lymphoma in dogs?

The prognosis of multicentric lymphomas depends on many factors, including grade, clinical presentation, stage, morphological subtype, Immunophénotype... and especially the response to treatment.

Survival medians oscillate between 2 weeks and over 4 years. The vet oncologist adjusts this prognosis according to the situation specific to your partner.