Patient Evaluation
The
first step in treating veterinary patients
for STS is to evaluate general patient health
and to assess the extent of the malignancy
(clinical staging). This usually involves
radiographs (x-rays) of the chest and abdominal
cavities and blood screening. Other diagnostics
may include minimally invasive imaging techniques
such as:
• Ultrasonography
• CT scans
• MRI scans
• Laparoscopy
• Thoroscopy
Treatment
(STS) - Surgery
Invasive
STS can be challenging to treat as they extend
into surrounding structures and require extensive
surgery to achieve complete removal. The first
surgery is the key opportunity for the surgeon
to be aggressive and attempt complete excision.
A general principle for removing such tumors
is that the tumor should be removed with a
significant margin of normal tissue around
it (in all directions) to ensure complete
removal of all malignant cells. An experienced,
board-certified veterinary surgical specialist
is our recommendation for all STS resections.
Some
STS appear in locations in which complete
resection is difficult without disturbing
normal tissues. Depending upon the adjacent
tumor location, such surgeries as limb amputation,
rib resection, and nasal/jaw reconstructions
may be required. It is important to note that
veterinary patients recover quickly and satisfactorily
even from these more extensive surgeries.
Radiation
Therapy
Radiation
therapy can be combined with surgery in either
a pre or post-surgical manner. If given prior
to surgery, the tumor may decrease in size
and be subsequently easier to remove. If radiation
therapy is given after surgery, it is intended
to sterilize tumor cells which may have been
left behind during an incomplete excision.
Veterinary
patients are quite tolerant of this form of
cancer treatment and it can increase the chances
for successful long term disease management.
This is a highly specialized form of cancer
treatment and is provided by veterinary radiation
oncologists nearby at:
New England Veterinary Oncology Group (NEVOG),
Waltham, Massachusetts 781-684-8688
Angell Memorial Animal Hospital, Boston,
Massachusetts 781-522-7282
Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine,
N. Grafton, Massachusetts 508-839-5395
Chemotherapy
Clinical
benefits of chemotherapy in the treatment
of STS have not been clearly established.
However, it should be considered in patients
considered at high risk for progressive disease.
This would include patients having:
• Inoperable tumors (size or location)
• Recurrent tumors
• High-grade (aggressive) type STS
• Injection-site sarcomas (cats)
• STS of internal organs
• Oral sarcomas
• Incomplete resections and no radiation
treatment
Drugs
Most
commonly used in adjuvant treatment of STS:
• Doxorubicin
• Mitoxantrone
• Carboplatin
• Cisplatin
• Alkylating agents such as cyclophosphamide
or lomustine
The
recommended treatment plan for your pet would
be based on clinical stage and extent of disease,
patient health, and grade of aggressiveness
of the tumor based on biopsy results and primary
tumor location. Treatment frequency is usually
3-week intervals and most are performed during
appointment time. The goal will be to provide
a Ògood qualityÓ time in as long a remission
as possible. As in human medicine, no guarantee
of results can be rendered for an individual
patient. However, the utmost care is taken
by our staff to ensure as normal a life for
your pet as possible during the treatment
period.
