Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Principles of treatment for osteosarcoma.
- Journal:
- Clinical techniques in small animal practice
- Year:
- 2003
- Authors:
- Endicott, Melissa
- Affiliation:
- Animal Medical Center · United States
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer that affects dogs and makes up about 5% to 6% of all cancer cases in dogs. If your dog is diagnosed with this condition, it's important for your veterinarian to conduct a thorough examination to check for other health issues and to see if the cancer has spread. There are now several treatment options available beyond just amputation, including surgeries that can save the limb and improved chemotherapy methods that can help dogs live longer. Even if surgery isn't possible, there are still ways to manage pain and maintain a good quality of life for your pet. Understanding all these options can help you make the best decision for your dog's care.
Abstract
Canine osteosarcoma accounts for 5% to 6% of all canine malignancies. A thorough workup is recommended to help clients make an educated decision about treatment options. Patients should be screened for concurrent diseases and early metastasis, as part of the diagnostic workup. Diagnostic techniques have improved to allow for more biopsy options. Once osteosarcoma is confirmed, there are many treatment options, both definitive and palliative, which can be offered to an owner. Amputation is no longer the only option that we can offer as treatment. Limb-sparing surgeries have become more common, and techniques in chemotherapy have significantly improved the median survival time in patients. Even if surgery is not an option, there are alternatives available to provide pain control and good quality of life. It is important to be versed in all the options to provide clients with the best possible recommendations.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12831072/