Pet's Cancer Surgery in Aiken, SC

Cancer is a disease that affects humans and animals alike, and it can strike even the healthiest of individuals. The good news is that it is treatable using a variety of techniques.

Surgery is one of the most commonly used techniques to treat pet cancer. The best chance to achieve complete surgical removal of cancer is during the first surgical procedure. We are committed to providing care and treatment for pets with cancer, as well as support for the people and families who love them. We'll make sure your pet gets the best care possible by collaborating with other specialists and your primary care veterinarian.

We will sit down with you and your pet after reviewing your pet's medical history and diagnosis to discuss the disease, staging (additional diagnostics), treatment options, and prognosis.

What Is The Goal Of Surgery?

The purpose of surgery is to control or eliminate the local cancer in an attempt to improve the quality of the patient’s life. Successful surgical removal of localized cancer cures more pet cancer patients than any other form of treatment. A cure is not always possible, and one of the most difficult decisions in surgical oncology is the decision not to perform surgery.

What Are The Common Reasons For Surgery In The Treatment Of Pet Cancer?

The following are the most common indications for surgery:

• To diagnose
• To cure the pet cancer patient
• To provide pain relief or improved function for the pet patient
• To de-bulk the tumor

Surgery For Diagnosis Of Cancer In Pets

Commonly referred to as a biopsy, this is one of the essential steps in management of the pet cancer patient. In this surgery, a section of tumor is removed to be analyzed under a microscope by a pathologist to establish a diagnosis. Information about tumor grade can be obtained from larger biopsy samples that may influence the type of surgery recommended as well as patient prognosis.

Surgery For Cure

This generally refers to the first surgery performed to remove the tumor with complete margins. This is often confirmed by a pathology report that offers microscopic (histological) evidence that the tumor was removed and encased by a cuff of normal healthy tissue and that no cancer was left behind. Even when local control is achieved by surgery, some patients may require other treatments such as chemotherapy to prolong survival, depending on the biologic behavior of a specific type of cancer.