Astrocytomas and Glioblastomas
Astrocytomas are the most common neuroectodermal tumor of dogs. Glioblastomas are considered a subset of astrocytomas—a particularly damaging, invasive, and undifferentiated type. Canine glioblastomas are particularly interesting as they are extremely similar to glioblastomas in humans. Studies are underway to use and develop the dog as a model of this devastating disease of humans in the hope that characterizing and successfully treating these tumors in dogs may lead to improved therapies for humans afflicted with this disease. Interestingly, brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds such as the Boxer, Pug, Boston Terrier and Bulldog have a marked (25 times the normal occurrence) predilection for developing primary brain tumors to include glioblastomas.
Read more about this topic: Canine Brain Tumors, Common Canine Brain Tumors