Used <http://listserv.cuny.edu/archives/ferret-search.html> to find this
and hopefully sort out some of the confusion that exists once again.
Remember; over the years incorrectly using the term "cancer" has led to
far, far, far, far too many ferrets not receiving curative surgeries or
helpful treatments due to folks panicking and putting down ferrets way
too early or sometimes completely needlessly.
 
For more info:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ferret-Health-List
http://geocities.com/sukieslist
 
Date:    Thu, 28 Mar 2002 13:26:40 -0500
From:    Sukie Crandall <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: BW and SC FHL golden oldie: what is or is not "cancer"
 
>The thread on this is pretty good, and both Sukie and Stephanie have very
>valid points.  The terminology of neoplasms can be confusing, and I'm sure
>even vets can be confused from time to time.
>
>The proper term for what you are talking about is neoplasm (or literally
>"new growth).  For one reason or another, a clone of cells begins to grow
>uninhibited by normal substances or mechanisms.  The word "tumor" may be
>technically correct, but it is actually non-specific - tumor is Latin for
>a swelling, but it could also be an abscess, or anything else that causes
>swelling - so I try to stay away from it.
>
>Now this neoplasm may be benign - without the ability for cells to detach
>into the bloodstream or lymph, move to another tissue, and set up shop -
>or malignant (where they can do this.) The process of microscopic piece
>of a tumor moving to another organ is called metastasis.
>
>Metastasis is the hallmark of malignancy.  The worst tumors have the
>propensity to go anywhere and start growing (like lymphoma).  However,
>we can recognize malignant tumors even before they metastasize, often
>by characteristic features seen under the microscope.
>
>Adrenal carcinomas (malignant adrenal tumors) are interesting neoplasms.
>Although they possess the ability to metastasize, only a small number do,
>and usually only late in the course of disease.  It is likely that they
>do metastasize a lot, but have trouble gaining a foothold in distant
>tissues, so it takes a long time and many attempts if they ever truly
>metastasize.
>
>Insulinomas are generally not malignant tumors as they only very rarely
>metastasize.  The presence of multiple tumors in the same organ over
>time is not metastasis.  We do not understand the mechanism behind the
>generation of these tumors, and when we do surgery to remove them, we
>really are only treating the end point of this process, without address
>the cause.  Thus it is really no surprise that the rate of recurrence is
>about 40% within 10 months.
>
>With kindest regards,
>Bruce Williams, DVM
[Posted in FML issue 3770]