The lymphatic nodes, vessels and tissues of your dog's immune system help combat disease. Lymphatic cancer, or lymphoma, can strike almost anywhere in a dog's body. According to CanineCancer.com, between 10 and 20 percent of all cancer in dogs is lymphatic cancer.
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Lymphatic cancer often strikes middle-aged and older dogs.
Types
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The six types of lymphatic cancer are multicentric (lymph nodes); gastrointestinal; mediastinal (chest); acute lymphoblastic leukemia (bone marrow); cutaneous (skin); and miscellaneous, in the nervous system, kidneys, or nasal cavity.
Time Frame
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Lymphatic cancer most often occurs in dogs between the ages of 5 and 9. Life expectancy for dogs with untreated lymphatic cancer, says Mar Vista Animal Medical Center, is only 2 months.
Symptoms
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The most common lymphoma symptoms are swollen lymph glands on the shoulders, neck, and behind the knees, says CanineCancer.com. Some dogs develop diarrhea, nausea, lethargy or respiratory difficulty. Cutaneous lymphatic cancer can cause skin flaking and ulcers.
Diagnosis
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Aspiration or a biopsy of your dog's swollen lymph nodes diagnoses lymphatic cancer, as do ultrasound or X-rays of lymph tissues.
Treatment
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The degree to which the lymphatic cancer has advanced determines treatment. Chemotherapy---depending on the stage of cancer and affordability---is the treatment of choice, says CanineCancer.com. Six months of chemotherapy with several drugs can extend a dog's life up to 18 months.
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