Google Answers Logo
View Question
 
Q: Cancer in Dogs ( Answered 5 out of 5 stars,   0 Comments )
Question  
Subject: Cancer in Dogs
Category: Health
Asked by: techdeb-ga
List Price: $4.50
Posted: 18 Jul 2002 10:44 PDT
Expires: 17 Aug 2002 10:44 PDT
Question ID: 42546
[This is my first question--if the quality of the response is good, I
will pay more for questions in a similar category... I have several on
hold right now.]
My 12-year-old female Pug dog (i.e., canine) had a "malignant mast
cell tumor" removed from her lower mammary gland in April.  According
to the pathologist, it was "essentially completely excised" (that is
the closest they come to saying a tumor is completely removed, in case
it grows back). Normal mast cells release histamines into the body
(e.g., from allergic reactions).  Can prior metastasis of that tumor
(i.e., migration of malignant cells to other parts/systems of the
body) cause "transitional cell carcinoma" ("TCC") in her bladder or
other areas (e.g., tumor in bladder)?  What is the difference between
"mast" cells and "transitional" cells in terms of their relationship
to cancer/malignant tumors?  That is, are these two types of malignant
cells related to each other in any way?
Answer  
Subject: Re: Cancer in Dogs
Answered By: knowledge_seeker-ga on 18 Jul 2002 12:20 PDT
Rated:5 out of 5 stars
 
Hi techdeb!

Welcome to Google Answers!  As you know, Google researchers cannot
take the place of a medical professional, but I'll do my best to
answer your questions as thoroughly as possible.

First, let's address the types of cells we're dealing with --

MAST CELLS

"Mast cells are found throughout the skin, spleen, and
gastrointestinal (stomach and intestines) tract of the dog and cat.
Mast cells are connective tissue cells that contain histamine and
heparin. Release of histamine and other substances results in local
swelling, inflammation, and irritation. A mast cell tumor is a tumor
of these specialized cells."

http://www.vetmedcenter.com/consumer/display.asp?fn=P-MR-M-On_5-mastcelltumorso1XX.xml&dt=K

http://www.vetmedcenter.com/consumer/display.asp?dt=5M&fn=08040805.htm


TRANSITIONAL CELLS

"Transitional epithelium is a type of tissue found in the kidneys,
ureters, bladder, and urethra. Transitional cell carcinoma arises from
this cell type. Transitional cell carcinoma can develop from the
prostate or vagina as well. Transitional cell carcinoma may spread
(metastasize) to the lymph nodes and lungs."

http://www.vetmedcenter.com/consumer/display.asp?fn=P-MR-M-On_5-TransCellCarcFK1XX.xml&dt=K

http://www.vetmedcenter.com/consumer/display.asp?dt=5M&fn=11161117.htm

http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/boeing/small_animal_medicine/cancer.htm


As you can see by these descriptions, each type of cell (mast or
transitional) has it's own specific type of cancer.  In other words,
Mast Cell tumors affect only Mast Cells. When these particular cells
become "cancerous" they form a tumor of cancerous mast cells that can
be either partially or fully excised depending on how large it is and
how far it has spread.


CAN SPREAD OF MAST CELL CANCER "CAUSE"  TRANSITIONAL CELL CANCER?

None of my reading leads to this conclusion --

"Metastasis is the spread of cancer from one part of the body to
another by way of the lymph system, blood stream or direct extension.
Cells in the metastatic (secondary) tumor are the SAME TYPE  as those
in the original (primary) tumor. "
http://www.phoenix5.org/glossary/metastasis.html

In Dogs transitional cell cancer can be caused by "obesity, exposure
to environmental carcinogens, chronic exposure to flea control
products, and cyclophosphamide administration are all reported risk
factors"
http://www.vetmedcenter.com/consumer/display.asp?dt=5M&fn=11161117.htm

" One known predisposing cause of transitional cell carcinoma is the
previous administration of cyclophosphamide, a chemotherapeutic agent
also used in treatment of some immune mediated disorders. In one
report of dogs which developed cyclophosphamide-induced transitional
cell carcinoma the duration of therapy ranged from 6 to 64 weeks."

http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/boeing/small_animal_medicine/cancer.htm

 
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO TYPES?

It's difficult to judge the relationship between types of cancers.
"Cancer" is a term used to describe a group of illnesses all having
certain common characteristics, primarily the propensity for lack of
regulated cell growth, which results in serious health problems.

http://www.cancer.ie/information/whatis/

The Cancer is often named for its primary tumor site. For example,
cancer originating in the breast but spreading to the bones is still
called "breast cancer."  The way to judge the relationship between
cancers is to either find a common cause or to find correlations
between the presence of one and the presence of the other.

As you will read on the vetmed center links provided above, it is not
known what causes Mast Cell Tumors and the causes of Transitional cell
carcinoma do not indicate that Mast Cell cancer predisposes it. My
research has not come up with any articles that link the two cancers.

I hope that this has answered your question and provided you with
enough links to do further follow-up.

Again, welcome to Google Answers and best of luck with your pug dog!

-K~

search terms:
"medical terms" cancer
"mast cell" dogs
"transitional cell" dogs
"causes of transitional cell" 
"metastasis" definition
techdeb-ga rated this answer:5 out of 5 stars
I felt that my question was very well answered.  Considering that it
had several parts, the Researcher did an excellent job of organizing
those parts, separating them out, and answering them clearly.  The
Researcher also provided me with many links from which to obtain
further information on the topic of my query.  This Researcher seemed
very intelligent, articulate, thorough, and had great writing skills. 
Thank you--I will definitely use this service further.

Comments  
There are no comments at this time.

Important Disclaimer: Answers and comments provided on Google Answers are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Google does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. Please read carefully the Google Answers Terms of Service.

If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by emailing us at answers-support@google.com with the question ID listed above. Thank you.
Search Google Answers for
Google Answers  


Google Home - Answers FAQ - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy