Lymphosarcoma, or lymphoma, is the third-most common cancer diagnosed in dogs. It strikes all ages and all breeds, but the rate is higher in older dogs and some breeds, such as Golden Retrievers. When pet owners ask how long their dogs will live, there is no answer, only averages---and there is no cure.
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Factors Affecting Survival
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The factors that affect survival lengths are age, health of the dog other than the lymphoma, stage of the cancer, location of the primary tumor and type of tumor.
Treatment Type and Prognosis
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Although drugs like steroids may help prolong a dog's life, they are not as effective as chemotherapy, which offers the best and longest results. Surgery and radiation are not common, and still generally require chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy Protocols and Survival
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There are many chemotherapy protocols and drugs. The Wisconsin-Madison protocol is popular with some; however, no protocol has proved to be best. Tolerance of drugs often dictates what is used.
Best-Case Scenario
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If young, otherwise healthy dogs in the early stage tolerate aggressive chemotherapy, they may live a year, or even several. But many simply who seem like perfect candidates do not ever achieve long remissions of six or more months.
Average Prognosis
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The average dog with lymphoma survives nine months to a year with chemotherapy. Even if initial chemotherapy is not successful, rescue protocols may give more time. Most dogs have a good quality of life, even during chemotherapy.
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