Oncology

The field of veterinary oncology is constantly evolving, with ever-increasing numbers of dogs and cats developing cancer each year– methods for diagnosing and treating cancers are a significant area of research.

Approximately 1 in 4 dogs will develop a cancer (also called neoplasia) at some stage of their life. Each year, 6 millions dogs and 6 millions cats will be diagnosed with cancer. Approximately 82.5% of these dogs and 33% of these cats will succumb to cancer- making it the leading cause of death in small animals for the past decade. 

Some of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in dogs include: Mast Cell Tumors, Lymphomas and Osteosarcomas.  

Our Oncology services include:

Cancer treatment

• Chemotherapy (injectable, metronomic)
• Immunotherapy (cancer vaccines)
• Surgical oncology

Methods for diagnosing cancer:

Cancer diagnoses can be very challenging, but a proper diagnosis is the first step in obtaining the best treatment outcome.

 Laboratory testing:

• Blood tests: Blood tests are generally insufficient to fully diagnose and characterize neoplasia. We have recently started collaborating with a molecular diagnostic company (OncoK9) that offers a simple DNA test to evaluate the presence of cancer cell DNA markers in blood. This test can detect the earliest stages of cancer on perfectly healthy pets, before the appearance of clinical signs.  More Information

• Cytology is usually the first test recommended.  This will help to make an initial decision on the most appropriate and efficient line of treatment. Our ultrasonographic equipment allows us to collect cells directly from an internal tumor as long as organ accessibility permits (such a test would not be possible on a brain tumor for example)

• Histopathology on biopsy pieces : Sometimes collecting individual cells is not sufficient to obtain a diagnosis and a biopsy might be necessary. In that case a piece of tissue is collected and sent to the lab for evaluation.

• Histopathology on fully excised tumor: In this case, the lab will be able to evaluate if the tumor has been fully removed and will usually give a “grading” that will dictate the best post surgical treatment and allow us to determine the prognosis.

• Immunochemistry will help us determine neoplasia specifics by listing the antigen properties of the tumor cells. These antigens specifics will determine the sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents. This test required our collaboration with Veterinary Universities such as Colorado State University, Cornell or the Madison University of Wisconsin.

Methods for treating cancer:

While surgery and Chemotherapy were the leading ways to treat cancer in small animals, new options have recently emerged, broadening our options to treat your pets most appropriately and most efficiently.

When possible Surgery remains the most efficient form of cancer treatment. It is the best way to obtain long term remission. CVH has skilled surgeons that can provide the best surgical approach for tumor removal. Only brain or spinal tumors will be referred to the Neurologist. The most frequent tumors that can be successfully treated with surgery are skin tumors and mammary tumors, prior to any metastasis to other organs. In some cases internal tumors such as intestinal tumors, kidney tumors, liver tumors or spleen tumors cannot be removed and must be treated with chemotherapy treatments.

If surgery is not an option,  the tumor can be injected with a special molecule that will destroy the neoplasm. The most recent one is called Stelfonta.

 Cancer Vaccines are a new, non chemotherapy type of treatment. Immunotherapy treats cancer using the patient’s natural defenses (commonly known as cancer vaccines) or injections of certain aggressive molecules in the tumor, to ultimately kill the tumor. After surgical excision of a malignant mass, it will be sent to a laboratory called Torigen. A specially-made vaccine will be prepared based on the excised tumor, to be injected over the course of  weeks to prevent a relapse.

Ultimately, general practitioners have access to extended, recent and efficient ways to treat animal cancer with impressive outcomes. Cahuenga Veterinary Hospital keeps their entire staff up to date on the latest protocols and procedures to offer your pet the best treatment options, with convenience and care.