Epitheliotropic Lymphoma in Dogs
- Epitheliotropic lymphoma is a malignant form of skin cancer. It is also called as mycosis fungoides.
- There is no predisposition as to what breed or gender is affected by this ailment. This means that any dog can be affected.
- Still, older dogs are the ones who are more prone to this ailment.
- Prognosis is very low. Most dogs do not survive 10 months after the ailment is diagnosed.
- Symptoms of epitheliotropic lymphoma:
- Lack of appetite or anorexia
- Lethargy and lack of energy
- Red, scaly patches on the skin
- Dull coat
- Skin nodules and lumps
- Enlarged lymph nodes, especially in advanced stages
- Thickening of the gums and lips if the ailment reaches the mouth
- The first stage of the disease presents symptoms similar to allergic reactions.Thus, the ailment is often not diagnosed during the first stages.
- Diagnosis:
- Physical examination
- Biopsy
- Blood tests
Epitheliotropic Lymphoma in Dogs Cost of Treatment
- Treatment options for epitheliotropic lymphoma include:
- Surgical removal of the tumors. This option does not apply to all tumors, only to those that can be feasibly removed. The vet will know if this is the case.
- Radiation is also an option for localized tumors.
- Chemotherapy is a very effective option.
- In many cases, the vet will recommend a combination of surgical removal and radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy.
- The costs of treatment will depend on a lot of factors, including:
- The extent of ailment
- The spread of the cancer
- The type/s of treatment/s chosen
- Number of sessions of radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy
- Doctor’s fees
- Hospital’s fees