Cancer in Practice – Part 2
Posted on Thursday, March 29 @ 08:24:26 BST by jenvetadmin
|
jenvetnurse writes "Q u a l i t y o f L i f e for Cancer Patients
Most Veterinary Oncologists aim to provide a quality
of life that allows a normal life as possible for the animal and their owner.. Chemotherapy is often associated with side effects including inappetance,
vomiting and diarrhoea, and bone marrow suppression.
Treating the patient with antiemetics and careful monitoring can reduce severe/long lasting side effects.
Side effects in veterinary patients are far milder than those experienced by human patients.
Radiation therapy in pets rarely result in the ‘radiation sickness’ people suffer.
One of the most difficult decisions for clients
considering surgical oncology is whether to authorize
limb amputation for a pet with bone cancer.
The quality of life for most three-legged pets is much better than
patients suffering from the bone pain associated with
osteosarcoma.
This is only one example of a situation in
which surgical intervention can provide almost
immediate pain relief and an improvement in
quality of life.
The recent advances in canine genetics are a step toward improving early
cancer detection. It will allow us to identify animals which should not be bred from. We will one day be able to offer clients screen tests for certain breeds at higher risk for some cancers.
Within five years we should have new drugs, tumour vaccines, receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors, antiangiogenic therapies, and new immunotherapy
agents available for the treatment cancers
such as malignant melanoma, osteosarcoma, and highgrade
mast-cell tumors.
"
|
| |
|
Home
Veterinary News :
Veterinary Services:
