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'''Surgery'''
'''Surgery'''
:Firstly, a laparotomy is required for many cases of alimentary lymphoma to obtain biopsy material. For solitary masses without systemic disease resection and anastomosis of the intestine is advised (single modality treatment). Local resection in cats has occasionally been curative. Other focal lyphoma may also be resected, however surgery alone may be insufficient for long-term control of the disease and if not all the tumour is able to be resected. Should relapse occur, or if there is systemic progression, chemotherapy will be required (multimodal treatment).
:Firstly, a laparotomy is required for many cases of alimentary lymphoma to obtain biopsy material and in some cases to de-bulk and obstructing mass, though owners should be warned of the high potential of dehiscence post-operatively. For solitary masses without systemic disease, resection and anastomosis of the intestine is advised (single modality treatment). Local resection in cats has occasionally been curative. Other focal lymphoma may also be resected, however as there is typically systemic involvement, chemotherapy will be required (multimodal treatment).
'''Radiotherapy'''
'''Radiotherapy'''
:Lymphoma is highly radiosensitive and in theory radiotherapy should be efficient in treating all forms of lymphoma, however, surrounding tissues often have a low tolerance.
:Lymphoma is highly radiosensitive and in theory radiotherapy should be efficient in treating all forms of lymphoma, however, surrounding tissues often have a low tolerance. The main site for which radiotherapy is used is in nasal lymphoma, though many oncologists combine this with systemic chemotherapy. Half body radiotherapy is currently being trialled in the USA as part of a multi-modal protocol.
'''Chemotherapy'''
'''Chemotherapy'''
:Combination chemotherapy is the most frequent method of treatment and the most commonly used protocols include:
:Combination chemotherapy is the most frequent method of treatment and the most commonly used protocols include:
:* COP which consists of Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine and Prednisolone. It is frequently used in cats and can be used for induction therapy (8 weeks) as well as a long term maintenance protocol.
:* COP which consists of cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisolone. It is frequently used in cats and can be used for induction therapy (8 weeks) as well as a long term maintenance protocol.
:* COAP consists of Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Prednisolone and Cytosine arabinoside
:* COAP consists of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisolone and cytosine arabinoside
:* CHOP consists of Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Prednisolone and Doxorubicin.
:* CHOP consists of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisolone and doxorubicin.
:* Prednisolone and chlorambucil can provide good long term palliation in low grade lymphomas, for example feline small cell gastrointestinal lymphoma.
:Corticosteroids must not be administered prior to initiation of chemotherapy as they can cause resistance to cytotoxics and hence reduce the rate of response and the survival time. The aim is to induce remission and then continue with a maintenance regime, adjusting the dose as required with rescue therapy should relapse occur.
:Corticosteroids must not be administered prior to initiation of chemotherapy as they can cause resistance to cytotoxics and hence reduce the rate of response and the survival time. The aim is to induce remission and then continue with a maintenance regime, adjusting the dose as required with rescue therapy should relapse occur.
:Response to treatment can be monitored via reduction in tumour mass and size of lymph nodes. Haematological values should be frequently monitored to assess the effects of the drugs. In particular, animals should be monitored for the presence of [[Azotaemia|azotaemia]], neutropenia/sepsis, [[hypercalcaemia]] and pyrexia.
:Response to treatment can be monitored via reduction in tumour mass or size of lymph nodes. Haematological values should be frequently monitored to assess the effects of the drugs. In particular, animals should be monitored for the presence of [[Azotaemia|azotaemia]], neutropenia/sepsis, [[hypercalcaemia]] and pyrexia.
'''Supportive Therapy'''
'''Supportive Therapy'''
Whilst receiving chemotherapy. patients should receive a high quality, palatable diet to maintain calorific intake. If animals become anorexic they should receive appetite stimulation in cats e.g Cyproheptadine (Periactin) or [[Emetics and Anti-Emetic Drugs|antiemetics]] if vomiting occurs.
Whilst receiving chemotherapy. patients should receive a high quality, palatable diet to maintain calorific intake. If animals become anorexic, the cause should be investigated.
''' Prognosis'''
Unfortunately it is unusual for animals with lymphoma to be cured, and whilst the disease goes into remission in most patients treated with multi-modal chemotherapy, typically they will relapse after a period of weeks to months. At this time, rescue chemotherapy can be performed but often does not provide a long second remission period.
===Horses===
===Horses===