Client fact sheet Understanding a cancer diagnosis

The VNCA and VetCheck have supplied this information to assist vet nurses to educate, brief and assist their clients to care for and manage their pets.

When faced with a diagnosis of a tumour, it can instantly instil fear. The veterinary approach to any tumour diagnosis is a methodical one that allows for a thorough diagnosis and optimal treatment pathway.

The diagnosis Identifying the tumour type is essential in determining the prognosis and treatment required. There are a number of methods to identify the type e.g. cytology and biopsy.

Staging the tumour The examination of the lymph nodes and the use of ultrasound, CT scan or MRI helps determine if the tumour is malignant and has spread to other parts of the body. For a benign tumour i.e. a tumour that only occurs locally, staging is not required.

TNM system

T describes the size and invasiveness of the tumour N describes the status of the local lymph nodes M describes the presence or absence of metastases

Tumour grade The grade refers to the aggressiveness of the tumour. There are 3 grades 1 least aggressive 2 moderately aggressive 3 highly aggressive The grading helps to predict tumour behaviour.

Cancer therapies Once the tumour has been identified, staged, and graded, the treatment plan is determined, and the prognosis can be estimated. These are the main therapies used to treat cancer in animals: Chemotherapy The administration of chemotherapeutic medications every 1–3 weeks for an appropriate course length. Alternatively, oral medications can be prescribed. Surgery Surgery can be performed to remove the entire tumour, to remove the partial tumour as a debulking procedure, or as palliative care to decrease pain.

Radiation

The use of ionising radiation to kill cancer cells with responses seen within 2–8 weeks of therapy. Immunotherapy Using the pet’s immune system to fight the cancer.

They can be used together or separately. Depending on the location of the disease, local tumours typically call for local therapy and systemic disease requires systemic therapy.

Response to therapy The ultimate goal for cancer treatment is complete remission or cure. There are 5 responses to cancer therapy. Complete remission The disappearance of all clinical evidence of an active tumour

Partial remission Stable disease Progressive disease 50% or greater decrease in tumour size

No appearance of new lesions or worsening clinical signs Increase of at least 50% in tumour size

Relapse The appearance of new lesions following complete remission

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