Treating Cancer

Each type of cancer requires individual care and may include a combination of treatment therapies, including:¹

Local Control (for treatment of the tumor in its primary site)

Surgery — physically removes the tumor.
Radiation Therapy — the use of high-energy X-rays to treat tumor cells in surrounding tissues and local lymph nodes. 

Distant Control (for tumors that have spread from the primary site)

Chemotherapy — the use of strong chemicals to kill tumor cells.
Immunotherapy — using the dog’s own immune system to target tumor cells.

Your veterinarian also may discuss other treatments, including cryosurgery (freezing) or hyperthermia (heating). In some instances, your veterinarian may refer you to an oncologist (cancer specialist), depending upon the recommended course of treatment.¹

¹What you should know about cancer in animals. American Veterinary Medical Association. Available at: http://www.avma.org/communications/brochures/cancer/cancer_brochure.asp. Accessed July 1, 2007.