Skip to main content

Table 2 Common Canine Cancers with Key Demographic Features

From: Canine cancer immunotherapy studies: linking mouse and human

Cancer

Incidence

Age of Onset (years)

Location

Breeds at Elevated Riska

Gliomas

2–3X more common in dogs than people

Variable, majority > 6

Intracranial

Boxers, bulldogs, and terriers

Lymphoma

~250,000 new cases per year (2/3 B cell lymphoma)

7–10

Multicentric/external lymph nodes

Golden Retriever, Boxers, Bullmastiffs, Basset Hounds, Saint Bernards, Scottish Terriers, Airedales, Bulldogs

Mammary Carcinoma

Uncommon in spayed female dogs, 10–15% of unspayed females

10–11

Breast tissue

Poodles, Dachshunds, and Spaniels

Melanoma

5–10% of dog cancer deaths

≥10

Mouth, toenail bed, and skin

Terriers, Retrievers, Schnauzers, and Chow Chows

Osteosarcoma

50,000–75,000 cases per year (~75X more common in dogs)

Bimodal, highest peak at age 7–10

Axial and appendicular skeleton

Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Dobermans, Weimeraners, Boxers, Great Danes, Rottweilers, Irish Wolfhounds

Soft Tissue Sarcoma (e.g. Fibrosarcoma, Myxosarcoma, Hemangiosarcoma)

~10X more common in dogs than humans

All ages

Soft tissues

Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Bernese Mountain Dog

  1. aData on breed predisposition of specific cancers are potentially subject to reporting bias given differences in breed popularity and differences in how owners may seek veterinary care