When we first launched Tripawds, we included the following few canine cancer definitions on Jerry's Resources Page. After recently updating the page, we've decided to move this information here with the hope that it will grow and become much more useful and readily accessible.

All members are encouraged to reply to this topic with explanations of common – or not so common – veterinary oncology terms and other ten dollar words. Thank you for helping us help others. Links to online veterinary medical dictionaries gladly welcomed!

• Osteosarcoma Osteosarcoma is the most common bone tumor in dogs and typically afflicts middle-age large and giant breed dogs. It has a ten times greater incidence in dogs than humans. See Wikipedia entry for Canine Osteosarcoma.
• Limb Sparing Procedure Limb sparing (also known as limb salvage) is a surgical procedure that provides an alternative to amputation in selected dogs being treated for bone tumors. It is often considered for dogs with concurrent orthopedic problems, such as severe arthritis, that might not do as well on three legs. The goal is to remove the diseased bone and surrounding tissues while still preserving the function of the remaining limb. Oncolink provides this article on Limb Sparing in Dogs.
• Pallative vs. Curative Care for bone cancer in dogs is palliative rather than curative. Palliative treatment is any form of medical care that concentrates on reducing the severity of the symptoms of a disease, or slow the disease's progress, rather than provide a cure. It aims at improving quality of life, by reducing or eliminating pain and other physical symptoms. Or, as the World Health organization puts it: "the active total care of patients whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment".
• Axial Osteosarcoma While osteosarcoma of the limbs is the classical form of this disease, it can develop anywhere there is bone. "Axial" osteosarcoma is the term for cancer originating in bones other than limb bones, with the most common affected bones being the lower and upper jaws. Victims of the axial form of osteosarcoma tend to be smaller, middle-aged, and females outnumber males 2:1.
• Amputation of the Limb Removal of affected limbs resolves the pain in 100% of bone cancer tumor cases. Unfortunately, many people are reluctant to have this procedure performed due to misconceptions. Dogs will not feel disfigured by the surgery; it is the owner that will need to adjust to the new appearance of their pet.