Treatment of Cancer in Pets

Cancer can be treated – and often cured
As in people, many tumours are readily treated and many can be cured. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are the keys towards a successful outcome. Your pet cannot choose what cancer they will get but you can choose the best cause of action.
If you have any further questions about any aspect of cancer in your pet, you should speak to your vet who will be able to discuss this with you more fully.
If you are concerned about the health of your pet you should contact your vet.

Can tumours in pets be treated?
Many tumours, including a number that are malignant, can be cured if caught early. Some tumours, whilst not curable, may be kept under control for a good period of time allowing the pet to enjoy a normal, happy quality of life. Unfortunately, some tumours are too advanced for any treatment and then euthanasia may be the kindest option.

Early diagnosis - appropriate treatment
The most important part of treatment is early diagnosis. A wait-and-see approach is best avoided as the majority of tumours do not disappear and indeed, they will continue to grow.
There are many different types of tumours and the treatment for each can differ. To ensure the most effective treatment is given and to get an idea of the likely outcome a biopsy will be needed. This is usually best performed before any attempt is made to remove the tumour. Contrary to popular belief, taking a biopsy does not increase the risk of spread if performed correctly.

What types of treatment can be used?
There have been major advances in the treatment of cancer in humans and these techniques can be used in pets too.

Surgery remains the best way to treat most tumours and in many cases can be curative. However, surgery must be bold; any tumour cells left behind will cause the tumour to grow back.

Radiotherapy is another important means to treating cancer in pets; many tumours can respond to radiotherapy. In particular, some of those in the mouth, nose, skin and brain. Certain tumours can be cured and some are slowed but unfortunately, some do not respond at all.

Anti-cancer drug therapy can be used against some tumours (especially leukaemias and those of the lymph glands). This is a form of chemotherapy but the doses used in animals are carefully calculated to avoid unpleasant side effects.

Referral to a specialist centre for treatment may be necessary for more advanced treatments.

Is cancer treatment worth doing?
Tumours are more common in older pets but with due care there is often no reason why they should not be treated. If it were not for their tumour, many pets are otherwise healthy individuals. Surgery, and to a lesser extent radiotherapy, can often be curative. Drug treatment and radiotherapy can often achieve good periods of remission with a return to an excellent quality of life. For a 10-year-old dog, an extra year is ten per cent of its life.

Is my pet too old?
It is often said of people that you are as old as you feel – this is equally true of animals. If an individual is healthy and active, their age should not be a barrier to treatment.

You can contact us at
Animal Cancer Trust
5 Flag Business Exchange, Vicarage Farm Road, Peterborough, Cambs PE1 5TX
08701 644225
www.animalcancertrust.org.uk
info@animalcancertrust.org.uk

Registered charity no. 1094779 Animal Cancer Trust is a Registered company limited by guarantee in England & Wales no. 04434009. The registered address of the company is Lacon House, 84 Theobald’s Road, London WC1X 9AA. Please use address above for correspondence.