growths on rose canes

I have a very old hedge of unidentified roses. The canes grow at least 8 to
10 feet long and bear lots of very small single white flowers. It has really
viscious thorns. It hasn't been pruned of thinned for many years. Today, I
found brown irregular growths on most of the heaviest stems. All the canes
with the growths are dead, but the rest of the plants appear to be very
strong and healthy. Can't tell from the internet searches or my books
whether this a gall or canker. The growths are from two to six inches long
and double the thickness of the stems. I intend to cut the entire hedge down
and burn the canes as I do not want this to spread to the dozen plus roses I
bought last year (mostly rugosa and the Canadian Explorer series). Am I
being too drastic? Any suggestions? 
Susan Leard, zone 5
Prince Edward Island, Canada

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