| Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) |
| 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 and cure.
We usually cannot tell 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 it is cancer. These tests let the doctor know more about the cancer. This information guides treatment. |
| What are the different types of cancer? |
| There are hundreds of different types of cancer. They are identified
by the type of body tissue involved or by the body part involved. The
major classifications of cancer are:
Carcinoma: a malignant tumor found in the outermost covering or lining of body surfaces or organs. These tumors are found on the skin, in the mouth and throat, stomach and bowel, or in organs like the mammary gland, liver, lung or bladder. Sarcoma: 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 combine these treatments to provide the best
patient care.
Surgery: the tumor and some surrounding areas of normal tissue are removed during an operation. Radiation therapy: x-rays, gamma rays and other sources of radiation destroy the cancer cells in the area treated. All treatments are given under anesthesia to ensure immobilization and accurate positioning. When the goal of treatment is to cure the patient, radiation therapy is given as a series of doses given 5 days a week over a three to four week period. When there is no hope for cure, radiation therapy is given one to three times a week over three to four weeks to control pain and slow tumor growth. Chemotherapy: medicine is taken by mouth or injected into a patient's vein or under their 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 course of treatment depends on the type of cancer. Some chemotherapy also makes tumors sensitive to radiation. All clients should talk with their veterinarian about the treatment options available for their pets. You should talk to your veterinarian about the goal of the treatment. Is it for cure? Is it for palliation (relief of symptoms caused by the cancer)? Treatment also might be adjuvant (to prevent or reduce the risk of cancer returning). |
| What are the side effects of chemotherapy? |
| Most dogs and cats do quite well with chemotherapy, although some dogs do become ill with treatment. Uncommonly we can see vomiting or diarrhea. Most dogs will experience suppression of their bone marrow, but this is monitored carefully and does not usually become clinical. Some dogs with a particular type of hair coat such as poodles can experience some hair loss. Cats often lose their whiskers and undercoat with certain chemotherapy drugs. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. We will discuss the side effects seen with the particular drugs given to your pet with you at the time of your appointment. |
| What are the side effects of radiation therapy? |
| Effects from radiation therapy are broken down into acute (during or shortly after finishing treatment) and late effects. The side effects are generally limited to the area treated and depend on what tissues are in the radiation beam. The skin often will get a radiation reaction, which can take as long as a month to heal. We will discuss other side effects that may be particular to your pet when you come in for your appointment. |
| Who is in charge of the patient's radiation therapy? |
| Radiation oncologists oversee the care of each cancer patient. They
develop and prescribe each cancer patient's treatment plan. They make
sure that every treatment is accurately given. They monitor the patient's
progress and adjust treatment to make sure patients get quality care throughout
treatment. Radiation oncologists also help identify and treat any side
effects of radiation therapy. They work closely with other veterinarians,
and all members of the radiation oncology team to make sure each patient
is getting the best treatment. Each patient's treatment is personalized.
Radiation oncologists are veterinarians who have completed four years of college, four years of veterinary school, one year of (internship) general medical and surgical training, then two to three years of residency (specialty) training in radiation oncology. They have extensive training in the safe use of radiation to treat disease. If they pass a special examination they are certified by the American College of Veterinary Radiology. |
| If my pet receives radiation therapy is it radioactive? |
| If your pet receives external beam radiation therapy your pet is not radioactive after treatment and no special precautions are necessary to protect you from radiation. If your cat receives radioactive iodine to treat hyperthyroidism your pet does have some residual radiation after treatment and we will discuss the appropriate precautions with you. |
| What is meant by staging? |
| Tumors also are "staged" to indicate the extent of the tumor locally and throughout the body. The oncologist stages a tumor based on the pathology report and other diagnostic tests. Some of these tests may be performed the same day as your appointment, some may have to be scheduled for a future date. Patients with the same stage and type of cancer have similar treatment. In general, the higher the stage of cancer the more difficult it is to treat. |
| What can I expect when I come to the VMTH for an appointment? |
| Most times you will first see a student who will take a medical history and then perform a physical exam. The student will then present the case to one of the doctors on the oncology service and discuss the case with them. The clinician will then come in and ask additional questions and perform a physical examination. After this they will then discuss diagnostic and treatment options that are appropriate for your pet. This is a teaching hospital and one of our primary missions is teaching. This means that often appointments are longer than they would be at your local veterinarian. We also try to do some of the procedures or staging the same day as your first appointment. This means that your appointment may take a good part of the day. |
| What should I bring with me to my appointment? |
| It is important that we have access to all the medical information about your pet. Please bring copies of records from your local veterinarian. While faxed copies are acceptable they are often difficult to read. Also please bring copies of any biopsy reports, blood work or any radiographs (x-rays) that your local veterinarian took. |
| What are the costs associated with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer? |
| The costs associated with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer are hard to estimate before evaluating a patient and will depend on the tumor type and the extent of disease. This will dictate what types of treatments will be necessary. We will discuss the costs of major diagnostic procedures and therapies with you during your appointment. |
| Can I call the hospital and speak with a doctor before I have an initial appointment? |
| Since it is not possible to diagnose and treat cancer without fully evaluating a patient we limit telephone consultations to referring veterinarians. Of course once we have seen a patient we will be available to discuss the case fully. |