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Lymphoma is a systemic cancer of the immune system

Most common cancer to affect both cats and dogs

Common location in dogs is enlarged lymph nodes (80%)

Most common type in cats is intestinal lymphoma (60%)

Accounts for approx. 1/3 of all feline cancers

Linked to FeLV &  FIV viruses in cats

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The cat above is sedated and immobilized using a mask to administer radiation treatment for nasal lymphoma. 

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Pets are anesthetized for radiation treatments and an aquaplast mask is used to immobilize/position the patient for daily set-ups.

Studies show protocols included:
Dogs received a total dose of 8.0 Gy - 2 daily fractions of 4Gy with cobalt-60 photons and a 3-week interval between halves.

For cats, SBRT proved to be effective and well tolerated for treating localized nasal lymphoma in cats. 15 Gy total was delivered in 2 fractions. Abdominal RT of cats, consisted of 10 daily fractions of 1.5 Gy following completion of 6 weeks of chemotherapy.

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Mediastinal lymphoma. X-Ray shows a mass before (left) and after chemo treatment (right).

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Chemotherapy
Because lymphoma is a systemic cancer, chemotherapy is the primary recommended form of treatment for both dogs & cats. CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisolone) is the most common chemotherapy protocol.

Radiation
Radiation therapy is an option for some cats and dogs if the lymphoma is confined to one area.
Radiation in dogs with lymphoma responds the best after chemotherapy completion.
In cats, radiation is most effect with nasal lymphoma or abdominal masses.
The benefits of radiation for lymphoma are low in comparison to chemotherapy treatments and takes a higher toll on a pet's body due to the sedation and high doses of radiation they are put through for treatment.

Surgery
Similarly, surgery is only an option for lymphoma in pets on a case by case basis depending on the location of the mass and would be an adjuvant treatment option to chemotherapy.

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Prognosis for lymphoma varies, but the treatment goal is remission.

Dogs with no treatment have a life expectancy of 4-6 weeks. With treatment intervention, the average survival time increases to approximately 1 year.

For cats it's very dependent on the location among other health factors. If the cat is FIV/ FeLv positive the prognosis is poor. Intestinal lymphoma has a more positive prognosis, ~70% cats will go into remission.

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Fortunately, "pets"  tolerate chemotherapy much better than humans; they rarely lose their hair or appear sick.

The following side effects are only seen in about 10% of dogs and cats undergoing chemo or radiation for their lymphoma treatment:
-nausea
-vomiting
-diarrhea
-decreased appetite.

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Williams LE, Pruitt AF, Thrall DE. Chemotherapy followed by abdominal cavity irradiation for feline lymphoblastic lymphoma. Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 2010 Nov-Dec;51(6):681-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2010.01723.x. PMID: 21158247.

Sfiligoi G, Théon AP, Kent MS. Response of nineteen cats with nasal lymphoma to radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 2007 Jul-Aug;48(4):388-93. doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2007.00262.x. PMID: 17691642.

Reczynska, AI, LaRue, SM, Boss, M-K, et al. Outcome of stereotactic body radiation for treatment of nasal and nasopharyngeal lymphoma in 32 cats. J Vet Intern Med. 2022; 36( 2): 733- 742. doi:10.1111/jvim.16388

Williams LE, Johnson JL, Hauck ML, Ruslander DM, Price GS, Thrall DE. Chemotherapy followed by half-body radiation therapy for canine lymphoma. J Vet Intern Med. 2004 Sep-Oct;18(5):703-9. doi: 10.1892/0891-6640(2004)18<703:cfbhrt>2.0.co;2. PMID: 15515588.

Weir, M., & Barnette, C. (n.d.). Lymphoma in dogs: VCA Animal Hospital: VCA Animal Hospitals. VCA. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/lymphoma-in-dogs#:~:text=Multicentric%20(systemic)%20lymphoma.,throughout%20the%20body%20are%20affected.

Clark, S. (2022, October 28). Lymphoma in dogs and cats. MedVet. https://www.medvetforpets.com/lymphoma-in-dogs-and-cats/