Veterinary Highlights: Can A Mushroom-Derived Compound Lengthen Survival in Dogs With Cancer?

Mushrooms, love them. I come from a country where mushrooming is a common practice. Nothing like freshly picked mushrooms.

Is there more to mushrooms than just being yummy?

Coriolus versicolor mushroom. Image: Chris Moody

It seems that scientists were playing with the idea of medicinal properties of mushrooms for quite some time now. I know, that not far from where I used to live, there was a cancer clinic experimenting with oyster mushrooms as a cancer treatment.

A study, conducted at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, tested the use of a compound derived from the Coriolus versicolor mushroom in treatment of canine hemangiosarcoma.

Hemangiosarcoma is a highly invasive type of cancer, affecting the lining of blood vessels. Typically, the cause of death is the rupturing of the tumor, causing the patient bleed to death.

According to the study, dogs with hemangiosarcoma that were treated with the mushroom compound, had the longest survival times ever reported for dogs with the disease.

The Coriolus versicolor mushroom is believed to have immune-boosting action, and some studies suggesting that it also has tumor-fighting effect.

The researchers are getting ready to pursue further trials.

Source article: Mushroom-Derived Compound Lengthens Survival in Dogs With Cancer, Study Suggests

Further reading:
Liver and Spleen Cancer (Hemangiosarcoma) in Dogs
Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs

Related articles:
Are Splenic Tumors Always Malignant?
Fast Decline: Joey's Hemangiosarcoma
Why Does The Spleen Get No Respect?

Comments

  1. Jana, this is a very helpful blog. My daughter’s dog was recently diagnosed with the same illness. It’s very hard for the entire family to have learned about his condition. But after reading your blog, I have now something to share to my family on how we can help Pickles have a higher chance of survival. Recent series of studies about Coriolus versicolor mushroom also are focused on a group of people who have cancer. Knowing the fact that mushrooms have been used for decades for medicinal purposes makes it easier for me to believe that there is still hope. Keep posting such blogs. Great job!

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    Replies
    1. Mack, sorry about Pickles. Here is a link to a blog which has a lot of further information on dog cancer
      http://www.dogcancerblog.com/

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