The cells of the immune system may become neoplastic. This may result in the production of tumor cells that are nonfunctional and hence lead to immunodeficiencies. Alternatively, they may be functional, and some cancerous B cells may produce large quantities of immunoglobulins.
Tumor cells escape from the immune attack by relying on both immunosuppression and tumor cell modification. The demonstration that even bulky, invasive tumors can undergo complete remission under appropriate stimulation has shown that it is indeed possible to treat some cancers successfully by immune manipulation.
Lymphomas are common tumors in dogs and cats. The normal adaptive response requires a burst of rapid proliferation of lymphocytes. On occasion, however, this proliferation may be uncontrolled, and lymphoid neoplasms result. Because lymphocytes are present in all organs, lymphoid tumor development can occur in any organ. Lymphomas can be:
multicentric
mediastinal
GI
renal
nervous
leukemic
Less commonly, they occur in the eyes, skin, or nose.
To determine the stage of the disease, CBC, serum chemistry profiles, abdominal ultrasound, abdominal radiographs, and bone marrow analyses are useful. Immunofluorescent staining and immunophenotyping can be performed in dogs and cats to characterize lymphomas. They may be either T cell or B cell in origin.
Most cases of canine lymphosarcoma, Marek's disease, calf leukosis, and feline leukemia are of T-cell origin, as are thymomas. Many T-cell lymphomas are associated with a simultaneous immunosuppression manifest by a predisposition to recurrent infections.
Adult bovine and ovine leukosis, alimentary feline leukemia, and avian leukosis are usually of B-cell origin. Under some circumstances, neoplastic B cells may develop into plasma cells. Plasma-cell tumors are known as myelomas. Because neoplastic plasma cells can secrete immunoglobulins, they give rise to gammopathies Gammopathies in Animals Gammopathies are conditions in which serum immunoglobulin levels are greatly increased. They can be classified either as polyclonal (increases in all major immunoglobulin classes) or monoclonal... read more .
For More Information
Also see pet health information regarding tumors of the immune system in dogs Immune System Tumors in Dogs Cancer occurs when cells grow out of control. This can happen with the cells of the immune system. The tumor cells do not usually perform normal functions, which leads to immunodeficiencies... read more and tumors of the immune system in cats Immune System Tumors in Cats Cancer occurs when cells grow out of control. This can happen with the cells of the immune system. The tumor cells may not perform normal functions, which can lead to immunodeficiencies. Alternatively... read more .
