Several therapies have been used in dogs and cats with cancer, including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hyperthermia, cryotherapy, phototherapy and alternative or non-conventional therapies. Although euthanasia is a reasonable alternative to cancer treatment we make every effort to investigate other treatment options. In addition to tumor related factors such as tumor type, biologic behaviour, and clinical staging, several factors influence treatment selection. These factors include patient related factors; owner related factors and treatment related factors.
We have surgical and some chemotherapy modalities available at our clinic. Other modalities are available at referral institutions as are specialists in oncology (cancer treatment).
Chemotherapeutic agents kill cells predominantly in rapidly dividing tissues. They may be given by a variety of routes to the patient including intravenous, intramuscular, oral, intraperitoneal,etc. To exploit the effect of different chemotherapeutic drugs, it is common to combine three or more drugs to treat a given malignancy.
If a cure cannot be obtained, the main goal of treatment is induction of remission (decrease in tumor mass) while achieving a good quality of life. If a good quality of life cannot be maintained, treatment should be modified or discontinued
