Cancer
Cancer is the unrestrained growth of cells that occurs despite the body’s defense mechanisms or immune system. Cancer begins with a single cell that fails to respond to orderly growth.
The word cancer is as dark and empty as the disease it defines. A cancer diagnosis often brings feelings of overwhelming fear, a loss of control and most devastating of all, a loss of hope. When we face the diagnosis of caner in a beloved pet it is even more difficult, these animals share our lives, our homes and our hearts. We have experienced their love as unconditional and we seek to provide the highest quality of care.
Diagnostics:
Cancer is often suspected from clinical signs (a lump, loss of appetite and energy, weight loss). A comprehensive physical exam is the first step in providing the information we need to make a correct diagnosis.
Radiographs may be useful in detecting internal tumors and some forms of bone cancer.
Ultrasound is another tool that is useful in detecting tumors in the abdominal cavity and other areas of the body.
Cytology is the simplest approach, this is the microscopic examination of cells from a sample obtained using a small needle and syringe. Cytology is used to establish a working diagnosis and potentially a plan for surgery.
Biopsy is the surgical removal of a sample of tissue from a suspicious lesion or mass. Local anesthesia, and in some cases sedation, is needed to obtain most biopsy samples.
Histopathology is the preparation and microscopic examination of stained sections from the removed tissues using specific techniques and dyes. The sample is sent to a veterinary pathologist who will determine if the cancer has been completely removed, how invasive it was and what the most likely future progress of the case will be (prognosis). This information helps the veterinarian decide the best treatment for your animal.
Commandments of Cancer Care:
As a plan of treatment is being developed, there are three commandments that we strive to follow, these commandments help with the concerns a pet owner may have about cancer care.
“Don’t let them hurt!” Providing active preemptive and ongoing pain management is absolutely imperative and insures the quality of life is optimal. The most important principle is that pet owners know in advance that the veterinary health care team will not tolerate any pain and that we will work together to recognize, prevent and manage it.
“Don’t let them vomit”. Cancer care has advanced recently such that nausea and vomiting are uncommon problems associated with chemotherapy. And we have the tools to control these problems should they occur.
“Don’t let them starve”. Today we have the benefit of years of research into the metabolic alterations of cancer and we’ve gained the ability to counteract them nutritionally. This includes basic nursing care, appetite stimulants and, when needed, assisted feeding techniques such as esophagostomy, gastrostomy or jejunostomy tube placement. Appetite is vital and weight loss must not be tolerated.
Treatment:
Within the last ten years, tremendous advances have been made that result in improved response rates, disease free intervals and survival times. As in humans, our understanding of cancer in dogs and cats is increasing. Survival rates are improving and many animals are alive and well as “cancer survivors”.
Surgery is the most commonly used technique to treat cancer in companion animals. The goal of surgery is to control or eliminate the local cancer in an attempt to improve the quality of the patients life. Successful surgical removal of localized cancer cures more cancer patients than any other form of treatment. Sadly, there are some cases where the diagnosis and prognosis indicate that surgical removal will only give transient relief and the cancer will recur or spread (metastases). For tumors that are too big or too numerous to be removed or that are in inaccessible locations, other treatment options can be considered.
Chemotherapy is a word that creates an instant emotional response in everyone. Chances are you, or someone you know, have experienced chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer. The reality of chemotherapy for animals is generally different from human cancer patients. Most people are pleasantly surprised at how well their pets feel while undergoing chemotherapy. The highest quality of life for your pet is our goal. Fortunately, pets don’t have as many side effects as humans going through chemotherapy do.
Side effects:
Hair loss (alopecia) : Although common in humans, hair loss is rare in dogs. It is seen mainly with breeds that have constantly growing hair (poodle, shih-tzu, cocker spaniel, etc,). Cats generally do not lose body hair, but frequently lose their whiskers. Chemotherapy will often slow the re-growth of hair.
Gastrointestinal discomfort: Many patients experience some form of stomach or intestinal discomfort such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite. Most of which are easily controlled with medications and/or diet change and only last for a few days.
Reduction in the number of White Blood Cells (Neutropenia): The decrease in the number of infection fighting white blood cells in known as neutropenia. Many chemotherapy agents impair the bone marrows ability to produce cells. When neutropenia occurs it can make a pet susceptible to contracting infections. A routine blood cell count in performed prior to each chemotherapy treatment to insure that the white blood cell count is not dangerously low. Antibiotics may be prescribed to help protect your pet from infection.
Tissue damage: Some drugs, if accidentally given outside the vein can cause severe tissue reactions. These drugs are handled with the utmost care and are only administered by trained professionals.
Allergic reactions: Allergic reactions to chemotherapeutic agents are rare, should a pet have an allergic reaction to any drug it would develop upon administration. The veterinarian and staff are trained to treat patients for allergic reactions.
Heart damage: This is an exceeding rare adverse effect. The veterinarian will discontinue the use of the chemotherapy drug if heart disease is detected at anytime.
Tumors by name
Adenocarcinoma-
A malignant form of cancer that begins in cells that line certain internal organs and that have gland-like (secretory) properties.
Adenoma-
A benign tumor that starts in gland-like cells of the epithelial (cells that line cavities and surfaces of the body) tissue.
Carcinoma-
A malignant tumor that begins in the skin or in the tissues that line or cover internal organs.
Hemangioma-
A benign tumor made up of blood vessels that typically occurs as a purplish or reddish, slightly elevated area of skin.
Hemangiosarcoma-
A malignant tumor made up of blood vessels that typically occur in the spleen or right atrium of the heart.
Lipoma-
A benign tumor of fatty tissue (adipocytes).
Lymphoma-
A malignant tumor of lymphoid tissue.
Mast Cell Tumor-
A malignant tumor of mast cells (a type of inflammatory cell). Mast cell tumors can involve the skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle tissue, as well as lymph nodes and other organs.
Osteosarcoma-
A malignant tumor of the bone that usually affects the long bones of the arm or leg.
Soft Tissue Sarcoma-
A form of malignant cancer that develops in messenchymal tissue: the muscle, connective tissues, and bones of the body. Includes peripheral nerve sheath tumors, fibrosarcomas, etc.
Squamous
Cell Carcinoma-
A malignant tumor of squamous cells, which are thin, flat cells that look like fish scales located on the surface of skin, the lining of the hollow organs in the body, and the passages of the respiratory and digestive tracts.
Transitional Cell
Carcinoma-
A malignant tumor of transitional epithelial origin usually associated with the bladder.
Nutrition:
Good nutrition goes hand in hand with quality of life. Nutritional support can improve quality of life and length of life by enhancing the beneficial effects of surgery and chemotherapy while at the same time reducing the side effects of these therapies. When pets are not eating, assisted tube feeding is a great option. This method also ensures you can give medicines, fluids and nutrition without worrying if your pet will eat or not.
