Oncology

The Oncology team at Metropolitan Veterinary Associates is comprised of board-certified medical oncologists and surgeons, complemented by additional specialists in over a dozen disciplines. Our focus is the compassionate care and expert treatment of pets diagnosed with cancer, to offer owners hope for their beloved family members.

At MVA, we strive to help pet owners navigate a world of new terminology and a bevy of treatment options, so that they can make the most informed decisions possible to prolong a pet’s life, while maintaining optimum quality of life.

Advanced cancer treatment protocols can include medical or surgical options, or a combination of both. Medical treatment utilizes targeted and/or systemic drugs, including chemotherapeutic agents, small molecule inhibitors, and immune therapies. Surgical intervention can serve multiple purposes such as harvesting cancer cells for biopsy to confirm diagnosis and guide treatment, removing a tumor with wide margins with a curative intent, or reducing the size of the cancerous area if sufficient margins cannot be achieved.

Imaging is seamlessly incorporated into the management plan for cancer patients.  Digital radiography, ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI are available for initial cancer diagnosis and staging, as well as to plan treatment and evaluate the response to therapies.

Our approach to veterinary cancer treatment is comprehensive – seeking to care for all aspects of a pet’s health including pain relief, nutrition, and supportive therapies. Though pets generally respond well to oncology protocols, our team aggressively manages and mitigates patient discomfort. Our doctors communicate with primary veterinarians to ensure seamless continuity of care.

What Types of Cancer Do We Treat?

MVA’s medical and surgical oncology specialists treat all types of cancer in companion animals – from common to rare. An initial cancer diagnosis should be expertly reviewed and staged by a veterinary oncologist so the most viable treatment plan can be formed.

Some of the most common types of cancer in dogs are:

• Anal Gland Adenocarcinoma
• Hemangiosarcoma
• Lung Tumor (primary)
• Lymphoma
• Mammary Gland Carcinoma
• Mast Cell Tumors
• Melanoma
• Osteosarcoma
• Soft Tissue Sarcomas (Fibrosarcomas, Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors, Hemangiopericytomas, etc)
• Thyroid Carcinoma
• Transitional Cell Carcinoma

Some of the most common types of cancer in cats are:

• Fibrosarcoma
• Lymphoma
• Mammary Gland Carcinoma
• Mast Cell Tumors
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma