How does lymphoma in dogs cause organ failure and lead to their death?

Question

How does a dog die from lymphoma. Pet's info: Dog | Saint Bernard | Male | unneutered | 120 lbs

Linda G, MS, DVM · Accepted Answer

Hello, & thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I am so sorry for your loss. Lymphoma is a terrible cancer for people & animals. This is a very complicated question with no easy answer. Lymphoma is a rapidly growing malignancy that can go & grow anywhere there is lymph tissue. This is virtually every tissue in the body. Eventually, the cancer will infiltrate the tissue to such an extent that the organ fails (often this is bone marrow or the liver). As the patient loses appetite, begins to vomit, & develop diarrhea, he will continue to weaken, & eventually dies. Sometimes we can put a patient in remission for a while with chemotherapy, but then the tumor cells become resistant to the drugs, & death ensues. This is a bit simplistic, but it is actually the mechanism by which all cancers take over, kill normal cells eventually killing the host. It is a terrible disease.

How does lymphoma in dogs cause organ failure and lead to their death?

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