Identifying a cancerous process can be quite easy (as in the case of a visible skin tumor). Or, it may require advanced, complementary testing when the tumoral growth is not easily identified at first glance.
No matter what the case may be, in any cancerous process, it is necessary to locate the tumor growth, determine how far the cancer has spread, identify the histological nature of the tumor and determine the degree of aggressiveness. This is necessary in order to propose a treatment with full knowledge of the facts and especially, to give a prognosis that helps quantify the life expectancy of the dog if possible.
"Cancer" should be considered whenever rapidly-evolving lesions or skin lumps appear, when general symptoms do not respond to classic forms of treatment (vomiting, diarrhea, etc.), when there is rapid weight loss for no apparent reason and whenever any changes in the shape or size of a structure are noted.
Depending on the symptoms observed, the veterinarian will use different testing methods (pulmonary radiography for respiratory anomalies, abdominal echograms if a lump is felt on the abdomen, blood tests to explore metabolic disorders, etc.).
Once the cancer is located, the next step is to determine how far the cancer has spread locally (in relationship to the surrounding tissues and structures) and regionally (whether it has spread to the ganglions that drain the region involved) and how far it has spread in general (metastasis). The development and acquisition of new imaging techniques, such as scanners and scintigraphy for example, allows for extremely precise determinations to be made as to how far the cancer has spread. Consequently, tumors can be clinically classified just as they are for humans.
The last step in the process before considering possible treatment, is to understand the histological nature of the tumor. To this end, a needle can be used to puncture the tumor (whenever surgical ablation cannot be performed), in order to perform a cytological test or biopsy. Or, the tumor can even be surgically removed in order to study its histology.
Log in
