Oncology
What is a cancer specialist?
A board-certified veterinary oncologist is a veterinary internal medicine specialist who has obtained several years of additional training in diagnosing and treating cancers that develop in our animal companions. Using the latest up-to-date information in this constantly evolving specialty, they assist with cancer diagnosis and staging, and the development and administration of treatment to extend your pet’s life.
When your pet is faced with a diagnosis of cancer, your veterinary oncologist will work in partnership with you and your pet’s primary care veterinarian to obtain the best possible medical outcome for your pet. Using the latest information available they will develop treatment plans that incorporate one or all the following options:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
Cancers often referred to a veterinary oncologist include:
- Skin and soft tissue tumors, such as mast cell tumors, melanoma and soft tissue sarcomas.
- Lymphosarcoma/Lymphoma
- Mammary gland tumors
- Endocrine tumors such as thyroid or adrenal tumors
- Osteosarcoma (Bone cancer)
- Hemangiosarcoma
My Pet Has Cancer. What do I do now?
Getting a diagnosis of cancer is always a frightening prospect. However, many forms of cancer can be treated, managed, and even cured with both early detection and specialized care that is provided by your veterinary oncologist.
Often the first step after diagnosis is scheduling an initial consultation with a veterinary oncologist to discuss the diagnosis and treatment options available, potential side effects and the likely prognosis with the various treatment options available, so that you can make the most informed decision for your animal companion.
What we offer
- Initial consultation to discuss your pet’s diagnosis and what options for treatment are available
- Staging (determining how extensive the cancer is within your pet’s body) through imaging (X-rays, ultrasound), bone marrow aspirate, or additional biopsy procedures
- Chemotherapy, which involves the use of a drug or combination of drugs to fight the cancer cells, and shrink and eliminate the tumor to achieve cancer remission
- Immunotherapy, utilizing special cancer vaccines that stimulate your pet’s immune system to target and kill cancer cells
- Surgery utilizing the Surgery Department at SFAMC to surgically remove a tumor
