This book describes a practical, simple work protocol which may be useful to most of those first-opinion veterinary practitioners who have to deal with cases of neoplasia in their practices. It combines the experience in clinical oncology of a first-opinion veterinary surgeon and the knowledge of a veterinary practitioner specialised in this field, and includes a wide variety of images of the most common tumours in small animals as well as in exotic species. Some key aspects such as how to collect and send samples to the laboratory, and basic surgical techniques in oncology are also addressed.
CONTENTS
General aspects of clinical oncology
1. Basic principles of the diagnostic approach
Paraneoplastic syndromes
Clinical signs of suspected cancer
Abdominal enlargement
Alopecia
Nail disorders
Cutaneous calcinosis (calcinosis cutis)
Faecal alterations
Vomiting
Oestrogen-secreting tumours
Haematuria
Horner syndrome
Jaundice
Limb swelling
2. Sample collection and transport to the laboratory
Sample collection
Biopsies and punctures
Biopsy material
Endoscopic biopsy
Fixation and storage of the sample
3. Principles of surgical oncology Safety margins
Surgical manipulation of the tumour
Preplanning
Proper handling
Use of antibiotics
Estimation of caloric and electrolyte requirements
Cancer types by system
4. Tumours of the reproductive system in males and females
Female reproductive system:
mammary tumours
Introduction
Histological classification
Prognostic factors
Treatment
Male reproductive system: testicular neoplasms
Introduction
Tumour characteristics
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Male reproductive system: prostatic
neoplasms
Introduction
Clinical signs
Diagnosis
Treatment
5. Skin tumours
Aetiology
Classification
Diagnostic approach in the clinic
The importance of cytology
Common skin tumours
Papillomas
Squamous cell carcinoma
Neoplasms of the sebaceous glands
Adenoma of the perianal glands or hepatoid cells
Lipomas
Schwannoma
Melanoma/melanosarcoma
Histiocytoma
Epitheliotropic lymphoma
Mastocytoma
Trichoepithelioma
Fibrosarcoma
6. Tumours of the digestive system
Oral malignancies
Overview
Canine oral tumours
Feline oral tumours
Gastric neoplasms
Overview
Canine gastric adenocarcinoma
Canine gastric leiomyoma or leiomyosarcoma
Alimentary lymphoma
Canine gastric plasmacytoma
Intestinal neoplasms
Overview
Rectoanal polyps and papillary adenoma
of the rectum
Intestinal adenomas and adenocarcinomas
Intestinal carcinoid tumours
Alimentary lymphoma
7. Neoplasms of the eye and orbit
Neoplasms of the eyelids
Neoplasms of the eyelids in dogs
Neoplasms of the eyelids in cats
Other neoplasms
Intraocular neoplasms
Orbital neoplasms
Mesenchymal tumours
Secondary intraocular tumours
Diagnostic investigation
Treatment
8. Neoplasms of the limbs. Osteosarcoma
Aetiology
Physical factors
Genetic factors
Clinical signs
In the limbs
In the axial skeleton
General clinical signs of systemic disturbance
Diagnosis
Diagnostic radiology
Cytological and histopathological diagnosis
9. Neoplasms in non-traditional species
Common tumours in non-traditional species
Renal adenocarcinoma in a parakeet
Osteosarcoma in a ferret
Feather cysts
Melanocytic tumour and squamous cell carcinoma
Uterine tumour in a rabbit
Abdominal tumour (ovarian) in a squirrel
Mastocytoma in a goshawk
Thymoma in a Bonelli’s eagle
Bile duct carcinoma
Cutaneous xanthomas
Papilloma in the external ear canal of a Russian hamster
10. Practical chemotherapy
Treatments
Adjuvant chemotherapy
Metronomic chemotherapy
Small molecule inhibitors (SMI)
Side effects of chemotherapy
Neutropenia and sepsis
Gastrointestinal disorders
Annexes
Annex 1. Most commonly used drugs in veterinary oncology
Annex 2. Weight to body surface area conversion table
References
