Staff oncologists have also conducted a clinical research project and published a paper in the field of oncology. After their course of training, these veterinarians take three days of written examinations to become board certified. The DACC provides a two-year residency training program for veterinarians wishing to become certified in medical oncology. In addition, veterinarians from the internship program of the AMC also rotate through the oncology service as part of their training program. The DACC offers a full range of oncology treatment options.
Chemotherapy is the most commonly used modality.
No chemotherapy drugs have been specifically developed for use in animals, so veterinary oncologists employ the same drugs used by human oncologists. The most common cancer treated by the oncologists at the DACC is lymphoma. Lymphoma is cancer of the lymph system. The mainstay of treatment for this disease is chemotherapy, although radiation therapy is sometimes used. This protocol has been made available to all veterinarians through its publication in an internationally recognized veterinary medical textbook, thus improving treatment of pets with cancer world wide.