For most types of cancer in pets, there are three main treatment options: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. These can be used alone or in combination, depending on the specific situation.
Can Surgery Help With My Pet’s Cancer?
The goal of surgery is to remove all cancerous cells. If cancer is caught early, surgery can sometimes completely cure the animal. Surgery can also improve the pet’s comfort or appearance by removing tumors that cause problems. However, if cancer has spread, surgery may not be as effective.
In a biopsy, a small piece of a tumor is removed and examined under the microscope. This helps a veterinarian determine the type of cancer and develop treatment options. Even if a tumor can’t be completely removed, surgery can decrease its size, making other treatments more effective.
What Is Radiation Therapy?
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to damage cancer cells so they can’t grow. This treatment is given in small doses over several weeks to minimize harm to healthy tissue. Radiation is often used alongside surgery or chemotherapy to treat tumors in animals, as in people.
Not all cancers respond well to radiation, so veterinarians will consider the type of cancer when recommending this treatment. Side effects can occur, and veterinarians will discuss these with pet owners before starting treatment.
What Is Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy involves using drugs to kill cancer cells. It can help shrink tumors or stop cancer from spreading. Although it’s not usually a cure, chemotherapy can control cancer and improve a pet's quality of life. Chemotherapy can be given by mouth or through injections, depending on the tumor type and on what drugs are being used.
Some cancers don’t respond to chemotherapy, so it is not used to treat all tumors in pets. When chemotherapy is used to treat a pet's tumor, side effects (such as nausea and decreased appetite) can occur, but pets generally tolerate these side effects better than people do. Veterinarians will monitor pets closely during treatment and adjust medications as needed.
What Is Combination Therapy?
Combination therapy uses two or more treatments (such as chemotherapy and radiation) together, often providing the best chance for success. The treatment plan will depend on the cancer's stage (how advanced it is) and type.
