Lymphoma primarily affects middle age to older dogs. There does not appear to be a breed or sex specification. Only 10% to 20% of dogs are clinically ill at presentation, the majority are brought in because of recently identified swellings or lumps. While we understand how lymphomas form, we still do not understand why. In cats, there appears to be a strong link between some forms of lymphoma and infection with feline leukemia virus, however, in dogs such a link is not apparent. Some authors have speculated that environmental factors such as exposure to pesticides or strong magnetic fields increase the incidence, but there is currently no strong proof of this. At the same time, some authors have also hinted at a possible genetic correlation, but further studies need to be performed to determine the exact risk factors involved in canine lymphoma.
The symptoms of lymphoma are related to the location of the tumors. Tumors that develop in the lymph nodes often present as swellings with no other symptoms. The gastrointestinal form often is accompanied with vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and lack of appetite. The mediastinal (chest) form often presents with shortness of breath and muffled heart sounds. The cutaneous (skin) form can present in several different ways including single or multiple lumps in the skin, or mouth. These bumps can itch or be red and ulcerated.
The treatment for lymphoma in the dog consists of chemotherapy. Lymphoma is considered a systematic disease, which makes surgery and radiation impractical and ineffective. There is a wide variety of chemotherapy protocols and drugs that are currently being used to treat lymphoma. The treatment usually consists of a combination of oral and injectable drugs given on a weekly basis. Some commonly used drugs include cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and prednisone. The exact treatment protocol will vary depending on the practitioner. The University of Wisconsin protocol is one of the more popular ones used by veterinary oncologists. While most veterinarians can administer the treatment protocols, I always recommend that the owners of a dog with lymphoma initially seek out a consultation with a veterinary oncologist to inform themselves of any new treatment recommendations.
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