Surgical Services
- Biopsy
- Incisional
- Excisional
- Mass Removal
- Cutaneous/Sub-cutaneous (on/under the skin)
- Intra-cavitary (chest/abdomen)
- Oral (mandibulectomy/maxillectomy)
- Amputation
Diagnosis
We will work with your regular veterinarian to coordinate diagnosis of the mass. This involves taking a sample of the mass through a fine needle aspirate (FNA), sometimes ultrasound guided or a biopsy. These procedures often require sedation and some require general anesthesia. This can be done with your regular veterinarian, another veterinary specialist (internist, oncologist), or with us @ VSCP.
Staging
If the mass is cancerous, we talk about “staging”, which is determining if the cancer has spread (metastasized). Staging can include aspirates of lymph nodes close to the mass. Radiographs of the lungs and abdomen to look for cancer, ultrasound of the abdomen, or CT of chest. The diagnostics chosen depend on the type of cancer. Staging can be coordinated through your regular veterinarian, another veterinary specialist (internist, oncologist), or with us here at VSCP.
Histopathology
When a mass is removed at VSCP, it is preserved and sent to Colorado State University for a histopathology. The clinical pathologist diagnosis the mass-often grades it (tells us how aggressive it is) and gives us margins (how much cancer-free tissue surrounds the mass). All of this information allows us to give you a prognosis for chance of reoccurrence.
Referral
Sometimes surgical removal of the mass is curative. When it is not, we refer you to a veterinary oncologist. In Portland, your pet can see a medical oncologist for chemotherapy and palliative treatment or a radiation oncologist. We will work with your primary veterinarian to help coordinate any referrals.
Medical Oncology in Portland
Veterinary Cancer Specialists
Dr. Kim Freeman, DACVIM (Oncology)
10400 SE Main St
Milwaukie, OR 97222
Phone: 503-343-9857
Fax: 503-850-4791
Monday-Friday: 8:00am-6:00pm
VCA NW Veterinary Specialists
Dr. Catie McDonald, DACVIM(Oncology)/DACVR
16756 SE 82nd Drive
Clackamas, OR 97015
503-656-3999
Monday-Friday
Radiation Oncology in Portland
Portland Veterinary Oncology Center
Dr. Juliana Cyman, Diplomate ACVR (Radiation Oncology)
13655 SW Jenkins Road
Beaverton, OR 97005
Phone: (503)644-6581
Fax: (503)626-8184