What is Oncology? | Ten Common Signs of Cancer in Small Animals
What Should I do if I Think my Pet may have Cancer? | Frequently Asked Questions
Oncology is the study and treatment of cancer.
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- Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow
- Sores that do not heal
- Weight loss
- Loss of Appetite
- Bleeding or discharge from any opening
- Offensive odor
- Difficulty eating or swallowing
- Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina
- Persistent lameness or stiffness
- Difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecating
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The doctors at Vale Park Animal Hospital or Dr. Donohue, our clinician with a special interest in oncology, will examine your pet to obtain a diagnosis and identify the type of cancer affecting your pet. When detected early, cancer many times can be treatable. Once a diagnosis is made, additional testing such as blood work, x-rays or ultrasound will be needed to see how far the cancer has spread or metastasized in the body. With the additional test results a treatment plan, specific for your pet, can then be developed to treat the cancer. Treatment options may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or palliative therapy to maintain a good quality of life. Quality of life is an important aspect of patient care and will be discussed in detail prior to starting your pets treatment.
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What is Cancer?
Cancer is a mass of abnormal cells with uncontrolled growth. Tumors are either benign or malignant. Benign tumors usually grow very slowly and generally do not spread. Veterinarians can remove most of them. In the beginning cancerous malignant tumors usually stay in the organ where the cancer started. This is called localized disease. As cancers continue to grow they are more likely to spread or metastasize into the lymph nodes or other organs such as the lungs, liver and spleen. The more advanced the cancer (the more the cancer has spread) the more difficult it is to control or cure. |
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Many times we cannot confirm if a tumor is cancer until a biopsy test is done. A tiny piece of tissue is removed with a needle or by surgery. A special doctor called a pathologist studies the tissue under a microscope to see if it is cancer. Often, more tests are done on the tissue if cancer is present. These tests help the doctor to determine the best treatment options. This information help guide the treatment plan.
What are the different types of cancer?
There are hundreds of different cancers. They are identified by the type of body tissue involved. The major classifications of cancer are:
Carcinoma: A malignant tumor found in the outermost covering or lining of body surfaces or organs. (The skin, in the mouth, throat, stomach and bowel, or in organs like the mammary gland, liver, lung)
Sarcoma: A malignant tumor found in the structural tissues of the body such as bone, muscle and cartilage.
Round Cell Tumors: Malignant tumors often made up of different immune cells. Mast cell tumors and lymphoma are examples of this type of tumor.
How is cancer treated?
Cancer is usually treated by surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Sometimes cancer specialists provide the best patient care, where a referral may be made to a specialist.
Surgery: The tumor and some surrounding areas of normal tissue are removed during an operation.
Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy is not offered at our facility, however, we can refer to Purdue University veterinary teaching hospital for treatment. X-rays, gamma rays and other sources of radiation destroy the cancer cells in the area treated. Often radiation therapy is given to control pain and slow tumor growth.
Chemotherapy: Medicine is taken by mouth, injected into a patient’s vein or administered under the skin. It travels through the body and works to destroy or stop the growth of cancer cells wherever they are within the body. Chemotherapy is given as a series of treatments. The particular drug used and the length of the course treatment depends on the type of cancer.
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