Common Questions About Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy drugs are compounds that are toxic to cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be given as an IV injection or an injection under the skin. It can also be given orally.
How does chemotherapy work?
Cancer cells generally multiply very rapidly. Most chemotherapy drugs work by damaging the ability of these rapidly growing cells to divide, eventually killing them.
What are the benefits of chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is used by veterinarians to treat cancers in four basic but different ways:
Chemotherapy is the most effective single treatment for some types of cancer, offering the best opportunity for remission while at the same time preserving a good quality of life. For example, lymphoma, also called lymphosarcoma, reacts well to chemotherapy.
Common Signs and Causes of Cancer: Part 2
Performing a monthly checkup of your pet at home is recommended to set a familiar baseline. By paying attention to the specific areas listed below, early detection of cancer becomes a practical and attainable goal for all pets. First, pay attention to any lumps or swellings in the skin. If these lumps or masses seem to grow over a period of time, they must be investigated further by your primary care veterinarian. Lymph nodes in the skin can become swollen quickly and indicate that lymphosarcoma may be present. Skin cancers are the most common type of cancer that we see in dogs. Any new skin masses that grow need to be addressed. In feline patients, breast cancer is almost always aggressive and malignant. Any skin lumps in the mammary region need to be addressed in both dogs and cats.
Common Signs of Cancer: Part 1
Pet owners want to understand and be aware of any possible signs and causes of cancer. Below are a few behaviors to monitor. When in doubt, always consult with your primary care veterinarian regarding any changes in behavior or physical appearance. Monitoring your pet’s appetite is an important way to determine if your pet is ill. Changes in the appetite can be the first sign that there is something wrong. Appetite changes can occur for numerous reasons. Tumors in the mouth or stomach can make it difficult for a pet to chew or swallow. Cancer in the liver or kidneys can interfere with the function of these organs and make the pet feel nauseated so that there is no appetite present.
Understanding Leukemia
White blood cells are an important part of the immune system in both animals and humans. When these cells, which come in various types, begin to divide out of control in the blood or bone marrow, they become the cancer known as leukemia. This type of cancer can be either acute or chronic.
Acute cancer cells are immature, while chronic cancerous cells are more mature. The acute cells tend to be more aggressive because they are more readily able to divide and do so at a rapid rate. In this type of cancer, the bone marrow is unable to produce healthy cells due to the presence of the cancerous cells overcrowding the marrow. It also tends to have poor responses to chemotherapy.
Oral Cancers in Dogs
Who doesn’t love dog kisses? So, if your primary care veterinarian suspects cancer in your pup’s mouth, consider an immediate consultation with an oncology specialist.
One type of oral cancer common in dogs is melanoma, which can exist in the skin in the mouth, as well as other parts of the body. Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Cocker Spaniels, and Poodles tend to get melanoma more often than other breeds.
Melanoma inside of the mouth can be aggressive. Without treatment, survival times may be limited because eating becomes difficult. Staging tests are recommended as step one in managing melanoma. These tests often include chest radiographs, aspirates of the draining lymph nodes, bloodwork, and an abdominal ultrasound.
Common Cat Cancers
Because cats experience a wide range of cancer types and each case is unique, this blog provides an overview of common cancers by breed, as well as insights into two cancers common in cats.
Siamese cats can have higher rates of mammary, intestinal and mast cell tumors and sometimes develop cancer at younger ages than other breeds. Persian cats can be more prone to basal cell tumors and have a higher risk of sebaceous gland tumors and skin cancers. Maine Coons can have higher rates of hip dysplasia, which can lead to bone cancer. They also tend to be more susceptible to lymphoma and spinal cord tumors. All light-colored cats can be more susceptible to squamous cell carcinoma, especially if they have pink noses or ears or areas of unpigmented skin.
Immunotherapy Offers New Hope for Dogs
Merck Animal Health’s Esther Chon, DVM, DACVIM, Board Certified in Oncology, delivered “Updates on Immunotherapy,” as the last summer webinar in ACCC’s annual “How to Navigate through the Cancer Diagnosis” series for primary care veterinarians. A recording of her presentation is available HERE. Merck Animal Health has sponsored the summer series for the past three years.
Dr. Chon’s talk focused on the promise of immunotherapy as the new fourth pillar of treatment options in the fight against cancer in pets. In addition to the traditional protocols of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, immunotherapy offers new hope, thanks to promising immune checkpoint inhibitors, including Merck Animal Health’s gilvetmab.
Canine Lung Cancer Insights
Lung cancer in dogs is not commonly discussed among veterinarians, according to ACCC’s oncologist Ashlyn Williams, DVM, Practice Limited to Oncology. However, she has seen an alarming rise in such cases recently at ACCC’s headquarters and Fort Lauderdale clinic and decided to prepare “The Cough That Broke the Camel’s Back: Canine Pulmonary Carcinoma” for the third webinar in the summer series, “How to Navigate Through the Cancer Diagnosis.”
A record number of primary care veterinarians from across Florida attended the August 20th talk, which can be reviewed in its entirety. Below are highlights from her presentation.
Radiation Therapy and Bone Tumors
ACCC’s Jarred Lyons, DVM, Board-Certified in Radiation Oncology, presented “Bone Tumors: Surgery Is Not Feasible or Desired, So What’s Next?” at the second session of the summer webinar series for veterinarians, “How to Navigate Through the Cancer Diagnosis.” His detailed overview of the types of bone cancers typically found in dogs included state-of-the-art treatment protocols, current research reports, and insights into his own experience treating animals with cancer over the past nearly two decades in both California and Florida.
ACCC Surgeons Answer Common Questions in Webinar
ACCC’s Tammi Ruddle, DVM, Board-Certified in Surgery, and Robin Holtsinger, DVM, Board-Certified in Surgery, presented The Five Most Commonly Asked Questions of Our Surgical Team at the June webinar held for referring veterinarians across Florida. Merck Animal Health once again is the sponsor of the series. In summary, they led a lively and candid discussion about challenges faced by surgeons solely dedicated to the care of cancer in pets. Read on for a few of the key points they reviewed.
