Cryosurgery has been used successfully in dogs and cats with small superficial neoplasms. In phototherapy , the patient receives a photosensitizing drug that is rapidly eliminated by most normal cells, but that is retained by the tumor cells. Upon exposure of the tumor to a laser beam, the excitation of the photosensitizing molecules results in release of energy and cell death. When evaluating a dog with a malignant tumor, most owners will elect to treat their pets. Although euthanasia still remains a reasonable alternative for cancer treatment in small animals, every effort should be made to investigate other treatment options, particularly since so many dogs with malignant tumors enjoy excellent quality of life for extended periods.
Cancer treatment can be either palliative or curative .
The palliative treatment is aimed at alleviating the clinical signs, whereas cure refers to the complete disappearance of the tumor. With very few exceptions, malignancies do not regress spontaneously. If so, every effort should be made early on to completely eliminate the very last tumor cell in the patient. Examples of these tumors include fibrosarcomas, hemangiopericytomas, and small mammary carcinomas, among others. Certain tumors, such as transmissible venereal tumors, are likely to be cured with chemotherapy.