Cancer can occur in dogs of any age and sex and breed. Some cancers are extremely progressive and have a poor outlook, while other cancers are benign and pose little threat to the dog. Fortunately today, dogs with malignant cancers have a better outlook due to progressive treatments and early diagnosis.
There are 5 leading types of cancers that are diagnosed in dogs: lymphoma, osteosarcoma, soft tissue sarcoma, oral melanoma, and mammary carcinoma.
Despite the often negative outlook for a cancer diagnosis, with timely detection and action many types of cancer in dogs can have effective treatments. Surgery is the treatment of choice for some cancers in dogs, though in cases where a tumor is inoperable, radiation, biological, or chemical therapies may be a recommended alternative.
Modern medicine combined with holistic modalities can help maintain a pet's quality of life during cancer treatment. While food in itself cannot cure cancer, diet and nutrition can be an important tool in managing the disease.