The word 'cancer' strikes fear in all of us; however, with new advances in veterinary medicine, many pets are living longer with a greatly improved quality of life.
Successful cancer treatment often lies in early detection. Early detection can be difficult at times as cancer may not only present itself as a lump on the skin, but may arise inside the body. If this occurs, a veterinary examination can often revel the tumor. If left undiagnosed, the disease may not be noticed until clinical symptoms develop.
Treatment depends on the type and location of the cancer. If possible, surgical removal of the tumor is recommended. Some types of cancer are responsive to chemotherapy, which include a variety of oral and injectable drugs. Dogs and cats tend to tolerate chemotherapy well and do not often develop side effects similar to humans.