Roland Heath, a Border Terrier, first came to Brighton Veterinary Hospital in July 2023 with several lumps around his head and chest.
After a series of tests, Roland was unfortunately diagnosed with lymphoma.
Canine lymphoma is a type of cancer affecting dogs’ lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a part of the immune system, involving lymph nodes and lymphoid tissues throughout the body. Lymphoma in dogs is similar to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in humans and is one of the most common cancers in dogs. It typically affects middle-aged to older dogs, though any dog can develop it.
Types of Canine Lymphoma
There are different types of lymphoma in dogs, categorized based on where the cancer originates and the types of cells involved. The most common form is multicentric lymphoma (80-85%), which affects multiple lymph nodes. Other forms include gastrointestinal lymphoma (5-7%), which affects the digestive tract; mediastinal lymphoma, which affects the chest area; and extranodal lymphoma, which affects organs outside the lymphatic system, like skin or eyes.
B and T Cells in Canine Lymphoma
In lymphoma, cancerous growth can occur in two main types of lymphocytes (white blood cells) in the immune system:
- B-cell lymphoma is more common in dogs and typically responds better to treatment than T-cell lymphoma.
- T-Cell Lymphoma: T-cell lymphoma is generally less common but often more aggressive. Dogs with T-cell lymphoma may have a poorer prognosis, as this type can be harder to treat effectively.
Roland had Multicentric B Cell lymphoma.
Since his diagnosis, Roland has undergone chemotherapy as part of his treatment plan. This has involved numerous blood tests and both oral and injectable medications, all of which Roland has handled remarkably well.
Over the first 12 months of his treatment, he experienced no major side effects. The most common issue was a reduced appetite for a few days following treatment; otherwise, he tolerated treatment positively. Unfortunately, after completing his chemotherapy course, Roland experienced a relapse and is now on a maintenance chemotherapy regimen that is successfully keeping the cancer at bay.
Despite his ongoing treatments, Roland continues to live a full life. It’s wonderful to see him still enjoying treats and visiting the clinic. Unfortunately, without intervention, a dog’s life expectancy is typically less than one month from diagnosis. While a cure is not likely, we have been able to prolong Roland’s life, and we hope his journey will continue for at least another precious year.
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