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Cancer is a group of abnormal cells often—though not always—consolidated into a mass called a tumor. The common characteristic of all cancer cells is the absence of normal growth control mechanisms. Normal, healthy cells grow and reproduce only to replace cells that have died or, in young animals, to support ordinary growth and development. Cancer cells have no such restraints; they keep growing and reproducing even when there is no need for new cells. They often invade and damage or destroy nearby healthy cells.
Any tissue in a body can develop cancer cells; no area of a body is immune to cancer. More than 100 types of cancer are known. Cancers are named based on the type of cell or organ in which the cancer develops. Thus, as an example, hepatocellular carcinoma is a specific type of cancer involving the liver.
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| Common Cancers in Domestic Animals |
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Type of Cancer
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Tissue Usually Affected
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Reference
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Dogs
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Bladder cancer
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Urinary bladder
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see Kidney and Urinary Tract Disorders of Dogs: Lower Urinary Tract Tumors
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Brain tumor
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Brain
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see Brain, Spinal Cord, and Nerve Disorders of Dogs: Tumors of the Nervous System
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Lipoma
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Fat, subcutaneous tissue
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see Skin Disorders of Dogs: Lipomas and Liposarcomas
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Lymphoma
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Lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow
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see Blood Disorders of Dogs: Canine Malignant Lymphoma
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Malignant histiocytosis
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Skin
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see Skin Disorders of Dogs: Histiocytic Cell Tumors
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Mammary carcinoma
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Breast (mammary gland)
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see Reproductive Disorders of Dogs: Mammary (Breast) Tumors in Dogs
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Mast cell tumor
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Skin
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see Skin Disorders of Dogs: Mast Cell Tumors
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Melanoma
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Skin
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see Skin Disorders of Dogs: Melanomas
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Osteosarcoma
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Bone
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see Bone, Joint, and Muscle Disorders of Dogs: Bone Tumors
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Squamous cell carcinoma
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Skin
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see Skin Disorders of Dogs: Squamous Cell Carcinomas
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Cats
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Ceruminous gland adenocarcinoma
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Ear canal
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see Ear Disorders of Cats: Tumors of the Ear Canal in Cats
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Fibrosarcoma
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Skin, subcutaneous tissue
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see Skin Disorders of Cats: Soft Tissue Sarcomas
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Infiltrative lipoma
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Fat, subcutaneous tissue
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see Skin Disorders of Cats: Lipomas and Liposarcomas
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Lipoma
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Fat, subcutaneous tissue
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see Skin Disorders of Cats: Lipomas and Liposarcomas
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Liposarcoma
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Fat, subcutaneous tissue
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see Skin Disorders of Cats: Lipomas and Liposarcomas
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Mammary tumor
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Breast (mammary gland)
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see Reproductive Disorders of Cats: Mammary (Breast) Tumors in Cats
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Mast cell tumor
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Skin
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See see Skin Disorders of Cats: Mast Cell Tumors
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Osteosarcoma
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Bone
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see Bone, Joint, and Muscle Disorders of Cats: Bone Tumors
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Sebaceous hyperplasia/adenoma
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Skin
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see Skin Disorders of Cats: Sebaceous Gland Tumors
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Squamous cell carcinoma
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Skin
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see Skin Disorders of Cats: Squamous Cell Carcinomas
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Synovial cell sarcoma
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Joint
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see Bone, Joint, and Muscle Disorders of Cats: Cancerous Arthritis
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Vaccine-associated sarcoma
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Skin, subcutaneous tissue
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see Skin Disorders of Cats: Vaccine-associated Tumors
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Horses
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Lymphoma
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Lymph nodes, spleen
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see Blood Disorders of Horses: Leukemia and Lymphoma
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Melanoma
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Skin
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see Skin Disorders of Horses: Melanomas
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Sarcoid/fibrosarcoma of the skin, mouth, and salivary glands
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Skin, mouth, salivary gland
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see Skin Disorders of Horses: Equine Sarcoids
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Squamous cell carcinoma
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Skin
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see Skin Disorders of Horses: Squamous Cell Carcinomas
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While many types of cancer cause the development of tumors, not all tumors are malignant (cancerous). Tumors can be benign (noncancerous). Benign tumors, while they may need to be treated or removed, are not usually as dangerous as malignant tumors. Malignant tumors invade and destroy nearby cells and organs. They can be difficult to remove because of the involvement of nearby organs. Further, malignant tumors often spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or the bloodstream.
Last full review/revision July 2011
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