FASAVA Congress 2017

Surgery cures more cancer than any other single modality.  It is recognised in our counterpart human hospital settings that patient survival and quality of life outcome is greatly improved if a surgeon with specialised training in oncological procedures performs the surgery.  Veterinary training programs in surgical oncology have been in existence since 1986.  The discipline of surgical oncology is now recognised in veterinary medicine as a subspecialty by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Surgical oncologists play an important role in veterinary and collaborative research, education, and training. The Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology has been developed to highlight the role and value of trained surgical oncologists in treating animals with cancer, to coordinate and conduct clinical research trials to advance our knowledge and treatment of cancer, and to provide continuing education opportunities for referring veterinarians, general surgeons, and surgical oncologists.
The veterinary surgical oncologist requires knowledge of tumour biology, imaging techniques, and other treatment modalities, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.  Intensive training and experience have produced veterinary surgeons capable of providing great outcomes for animal cancer patients.  None of these improvements would have been possible if it were not for the recent great strides made in modern veterinary anaesthesia, imaging, analgesia, critical care, antibiotics, transfusion technology, surgical and critical care instrumentation.  Most importantly, a dedicated team is paramount to glorious outcomes.
I will give you five questions to ask yourself before attempting a surgical treatment for cancer.  The answers will allow you to be the best advocate for your cancer patients and provide the best outcomes for them.