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Muscle (called "smooth muscle") and fibrous connective tissues form the framework (stroma) that holds other tissues together in the organs of the body. They enable these organs to contract and stretch as part of their function, for example in digestion of food. A number of different tumors can develop from the cells of these tissues.

Two months ago, at a party hosted by Manhattan’s swanky Spike Gallery, I helped unveil a life-size bronze bust of my dog Sam by the talented sculptor Jennifer Weinik. I was feeling celebratory: After a bout with cancer, Sam had been in remission for almost a year.

In his prize-fight against cancer, my dog Sam is looking like a champ to me.

Sometimes, several people have to travel many miles to help one dog beat a dangerous disease.

My dog Sam’s report has returned from the lab: Six of his tumors were benign, but the seventh was a malignant plasmacytoma. The strategy of the doctors at the Center for Specialized Veterinary Care in Westbury, N.Y., is to remove any and all lumps before they have a chance to mutate into something fatal that could spread to Sam’s vital organs.

By now, you’d think my dog Sam would be getting suspicious. For the past two weeks, it’s been raining extra-special treats: hot dogs, pizza, falafel, liverwurst, cheddar cheese, burgers (both the meat and meatless variety).

I waited a while before trying Neoplasene on my dog Sam. This powerful medicine made of alkaloids from the bloodroot plant is touted as an exciting new hope in the fight against cancer, but it’s also somewhat controversial: some veterinarians flat-out refuse to even consider it.