What is Cancer?
Cancer refers to a large group of diseases that all have uncontrolled, abnormal cell growth. As a result of this abnormality, tumors, which are atypical tissue masses, will form in most cancer cases.
Cancer cells grow faster than other types of cells and will usually keep growing until treatment can slow or stop the growth. Cancer can occur in all areas of your pet’s body, including their muscles, skin, and organs. Unfortunately, cancer can be a difficult disease to treat, and many dogs and cats will struggle with cancer at some point in their life.
How Cancer Works
Cancer starts with uncontrolled, abnormal cancer cells growing in one part of the body. Usually, these cancer cells will create a tumor, and eventually, they may spread to other healthy parts of the body, developing more tumors as they expand. Without treatment, cancer is usually fatal. However, today, there are many options for cancer treatment, including surgery to remove tumors, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy.
Different breeds are more susceptible to specific cancer types based on their frame, size, and genetic makeup. Many pet insurance policies that include illness coverage will help cover cancer treatment costs when it’s not a pre-existing condition.
Key Takeaways
- Cancer is abnormal, fast cell growth that can form tumors and spread to other parts of the body.
- With modern veterinary medicine, there are many ways that cancer can be treated, especially if caught early on through regular veterinary care.
