General Oncology Information Brochure
Paragon Oncology – General Information
Cancer and cancer therapy is perhaps the most frightening health concern in the world today. Most people have been exposed to the disease and it’s consequences in friends or family, and so the thought of their pet with cancer is very foreboding. Our approach to cancer is very conservative and patient-directed, rather than disease-directed. Our goal is a good quality of life for as long as possible, and not a cure at all costs; we strive not to make the treatment worse than the disease. In most cases our patients are healthy pets with just another chronic, perhaps incurable disease, not necessarily in pain or sick; our aim is to do as much as we can to the disease with limited, if any, adverse effects on an otherwise typically happy pet.
Surgery
If a tumour can be removed completely it may be cured, however if it cannot be removed, it could be reduced in size before surgery or treated after surgery by one or more of the other modalities of cancer therapy. The surgeons we use are Boardcertified/Specialty-trained, who maximize the benefit of surgery to the patient, with minimal compromise of quality of life.
Chemotherapy
Though we use many of the same medications as are used in human medicine, we use doses and protocols geared towards optimal treatment of and tolerance by, our pets. Generally, less than 20% of our patients have any adverse effects, and less than 5% will have symptoms that may transiently affect them. Side effects of cancer therapy are generally dose-dependent and so protocols can be, and are, constantly adjusted to minimize these effects. A Board-Certified Veterinary Medical Oncologist oversees all therapy.
Radiation
Initial consultations for radiation can be done at Paragon with our Board-certified Radiation Oncologist. We at present have ongoing close relationships with radiation therapy groups around the country, that have various radiation modalities of treatment, treatment planning and equipment, available to our patients. Though the thought of radiation is very intimidating, most patients, including geriatric pets, handle radiation very well. All therapy and planning is supervised by a Board certified veterinary radiation oncologist.
Immunotherapy, Gene Therapy and Metronomic Chemotherapy
These modalities are perhaps the most innovative and encouraging areas of research in human and veterinary medicine today. There are ongoing studies and protocols that may be available for your pet. Here we attempt to stimulate the body to help itself fight the cancer, or affect the metabolism and/or growth of the cancer, using “designer” vaccines and drugs that target the cancer cells and/or their micro-environment. These treatments can often maintain patients in a stable disease state for long periods of time, without the same risk of adverse effects associated with more aggressive cell-killing protocols. This would be no different to treating other chronic diseases, like heart liver and kidney disease, always attempting to maintain a good quality of life for as long as is possible.
The Paragon Oncology Department provides specialised medical oncology consultation and treatment services and radiation oncology consultation services. We are supported by our other Specialty that provide emergency, critical care, internal medicine, surgery, neurology, cardiology, ophthalmology and dermatology services. We feel it is our obligation to keep the general practitioners apprised of the new developments in cancer therapy and to help them provide optimal cancer care options to their clients and patients, whether they be for definitive or curative intent or palliation of clinical signs only.
Please give us the opportunity to discuss your pet’s disease process and help you come to a decision about your pet’s future, whether it be to treat or not to treat, and based on your emotional, financial and time considerations. We consider success to be the improvement and/or maintenance of your pet’s quality of life for as long as possible, within the limits that you feel are appropriate for you and your pet.
