Treatment options for cancer in cats and dogs.

Surgery

Chemotherapy

Radiation Therapy

Immunotherapy

Cryosurgery

Hyperthermia

Photodynamic Therapy

T argeted T herapy

Cancer treatment will largely depend on how advanced the disease is, the type of cancer, and the pet's age and overall
health. Options usually include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, photodynamic therapy, cryosurgery,
hyperthermia and targeted therapy. In some cases, treatments are combined (e.g., surgery or radiation combined with
chemotherapy or immunotherapy). To learn about each of these options, please click on the above links. To learn about
specific treatment options for a specific tumor type, please visit the Cancer Types section.

Even if your pet is diagnosed with cancer for which there is no effective treatment or your pet did not respond to a
traditional treatment, enrollment in a veterinary clinical trial may provide options to try new investigational therapies. The
clinical trial treatment is often available at decreased or no cost to you, and even if your pet did not respond to the therapy,
its participation would help scientists develop better and more successful cancer treatments in the future. To learn more
about these trials (which are partially or fully funded by the institutions), please visit the Dog Clinical Trials or C at C linical
Trials sections. To learn more about veterinary clinical trials in general, please visit the Pet Clinical Trials section.

Prior to initiating any type of cancer treatment for your pet, including alternative therapies such as holistic medicine or
acupuncture, you should consult with a qualified veterinary oncologist. To locate a veterinary oncologist worldwide, please
visit the Locate a Veterinary Oncologist section.

Factors to consider prior to initiating any type of cancer treatment

Confirmation of diagnosis - make sure that your pet's diagnosis has been confirmed by tissue biopsy whenever
possible prior to initiating any type of cancer treatment.
Consultation with a specialist - your regular veterinarian is not trained in cancer diagnosis/treatment and you
should not initiate any type of cancer treatment without consulting a board certified veterinary oncologist either in
person or at least by phone. To locate a veterinary oncologist worldwide, click here.
Second opinions of diagnoses and treatments - beware that there are some doctors who may recommend
treatment based mostly on their financial gain rather than medical necessity, and it would be wise for you and your
pet to have a second opinion to confirm the diagnosis and discuss appropriate treatment options.
Define the goal of the treatment - is the treatment goal to cure the pet of cancer or to only relieve some of the
symptoms associated with cancer?
Prognosis with and without treatment - does the treatment offer a good chance of improving your pet's condition
and quality of life compared to no treatment at all?
Quality of life after treatment - does the treatment have the potential to substantially impact the quality of life of
your pet, both positively and negatively?
Complications of coexisting diseases - does your pet have any other medical condition that might cause
complications during the treatment of its cancer?
Pet's age and overall condition - is your pet strong enough to undergo any type of cancer treatment?
Ability to complete treatment - can you and/or your family members drive your pet to the hospital on regular basis
to complete the treatment and take care of your pet at home during the treatment as required?
Post-treatment care - can you and/or your family members take care of your pet after the treatment to ensure its
comfort and good quality of life?
Treatment cost - can you and/or your family members arrange for covering the treatment associated costs?