A tumor is simply an abnormal swelling, but when the cell growth in that area is uncontrolled, it is said to be cancer. If the tumor ulcerates and breaks the skin, it is called a lesion. Both tumors and lesions can be either benign or malignant, and proper treatment depends upon the thorough examination and classification of the cells at the site. Although benign and malignant lesions may look alike, they tend to behave in very different ways.
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Definition of Benign
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First and foremost, a benign tumor is made from the same cells as the tissue it is attached to. Benign tumors can grow very rapidly, but they do not spread to other tissues. The danger lies in the possibility of the tumor growing large enough to compress a vital organ or impede movement in some way. Most benign tumors do not require treatment.
Definition of Malignant
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A malignant tumor is made of different types of cells than the tissue it attaches to, depending upon what type of malignancy it is. The danger from malignant tumors comes from their tendency to metastasize, or spread to other tissues. Even if the primary tumor is surgically removed, there will most likely be smaller tumors in other locations throughout the body that will not be so easy to treat. These tumors will also metastasize in turn, until the dog eventually succumbs to the disease.
Treatment for Benign Tumors
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Most benign tumors do not require treatment, but they can be surgically removed if they are crowding organs or impeding movement. They are easily excised, due to the fibrous tissue that grows to surround the original growth, and generally do not require follow-up treatment. If the tumor becomes ulcerated, ordinary wound care becomes necessary until it can be removed.
Treatment for Malignant Tumors
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Malignant tumors are more difficult to treat. First the vet must evaluate the extent of the primary tumor as well as any metastasis, usually through diagnostic imaging. Surgical removal of the primary tumor is the next step, with wide surgical margins being of the utmost importance to avoid leaving behind any cancerous cells. Chemotherapy and radiation may follow in order to slow the progression of inoperable secondary tumors, or to attempt to kill any cells that may have been left behind from the primary tumor.
Prognosis
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Dogs with benign tumors can live their entire lives with them, but even if they must be removed, recovery generally is uneventful. Some minor care of the surgical site is all that is usually required. Malignant tumors are a different story, and the prognosis depends entirely upon the type of malignancy, the rate of growth, and how early it it treated. Dogs with malignant tumors may survive anywhere from two months to five years, depending upon each individual case.
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