Canine Lymphoma

59 Canine Lymphoma



Astrid Nielssen



1. What is lymphoma?

Lymphoma (also referred to as malignant lymphoma or lymphosarcoma) is defined as the malignant proliferation of lymphoid cells, originating from outside of the bone marrow, in solid organs such as lymph nodes, liver, or spleen. It is the origin of this malignancy from outside of the bone marrow that differentiates lymphoma from lymphoid leukemias. Lymphoma is the most common hematopoietic malignancy in dogs.


2. What are the predisposing factors for, and causes of, the development of canine lymphoma?

Most dogs with lymphoma are middle-age or older (6 years or older). An increased incidence of this disease in certain breeds such as Boxers, Scottish Terriers, Basset Hounds, Airedale Terriers, Chow Chows, German Shepherds, Poodles, Saint Bernards, English Bulldogs, Beagles, and Golden Retrievers has been reported. No sex predilection has been reported.


The cause of lymphoma in dogs is unknown and suspected to be multifactorial in nature. Although some studies have shown an association between pesticide use and magnetic field exposure, and an increased incidence of this disease in middle-age, related purebred dogs, the significance of these associations is controversial.


3. How is canine lymphoma classified and staged?

Canine lymphoma can be classified by anatomic site, histologic or cytologic phenotype, and immunophenotype. Clinical stage can be established based on the World Health Organization (WHO) clinical staging guidelines for domestic animals with lymphoma.


The four anatomic classification sites include the following:


1. Multicentric: generalized lymph node, hepatic, splenic, or bone marrow involvement.

2. Alimentary: solitary, diffuse, or multifocal gastrointestinal tract infiltration, hepatic, splenic, or mesenteric lymph node involvement.

3. Extranodal: renal, central nervous system, cutaneous, any organ or tissue.

4. Mediastinal (thymic): mediastinal lymphadenopathy or bone marrow involvement.

More than 80% of canine lymphoma cases will be multicentric in nature. Mediastinal lymphoma is the least commonly seen form of canine lymphoma.


There are many histologic and cytologic grading schemes that can be used (e.g., Kiel, National Cancer Institute Working Foundation) to grade canine lymphomas based on tumor architecture, mitotic index, and cellular features. Regardless of which scheme is used, most canine lymphomas correlate to medium and high-grade non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas in human beings.


Immunophenotyping of canine lymphomas is used to determine whether the tumor is of Bor T-cell origin. Approximately 70% to 80% of canine lymphomas are of B-cell origin. Approximately 20% to 30% are of T-cell origin, and rarely are non-B, non-T cell tumors identified.


The WHO clinical staging for domestic animals with lymphoma guidelines are as follows:


Stage I: Single lymph node involvement

Stage II: Multiple lymph node involvement in a regional area

Stage III: Generalized lymphadenopathy

Stage IV: Hepatic or splenic involvement (with or without stage III)
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Jul 31, 2016 | Posted by in INTERNAL MEDICINE | Comments Off on Canine Lymphoma

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