Atlantic Veterinary Internal Medicine & Oncology (AVIMO)
Understanding Cancer Terminology
Learning that your pet has cancer can be one of the most difficult moments in your journey together. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed by the emotions, the uncertainty, and the medical terms that may be new to you. We’re here to walk with you through this experience, starting with helping you better understand what cancer is and what the words around it really mean.
What Is Cancer?
Cancer is a general term used to describe the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. You may also hear the terms neoplasia or malignancy—they all refer to the same basic process. Because this abnormal growth can occur in any tissue or organ, there are many different types of cancer, and no two cases are exactly alike.
You might also hear the word tumor, which simply means a mass or lump. Tumors can be classified as either benign or malignant. Benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body, but they can still cause problems if they grow large or press on nearby tissues. Malignant tumors, on the other hand, are more aggressive and may spread—this process is called metastasis. When cancer cells travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to other areas of the body, they can form new tumors far from where the cancer began.
It’s important to remember that even tumors that don’t spread can affect your pet’s health depending on their size and location. That’s why each diagnosis is treated with careful attention and an individualized plan.
What Is Oncology?
Oncology is the field of medicine that focuses on understanding and treating cancer. The veterinarians who specialize in this area are called oncologists, and our job is more than just recommending treatment options. We’re here to be your partner—to help you make informed, compassionate choices for your pet based on both medical knowledge and what feels right for your family, prioritizing your pet’s quality of life throughout these decisions.
In veterinary medicine, oncology includes two main branches. Medical oncology involves treating cancer with medications like chemotherapy. Radiation oncology uses precise radiation therapy to target tumors. Sometimes, the most effective approach includes a combination of treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. This is called multi-modality therapy, and it allows us to tailor care specifically to your pet’s needs.
What Is Staging?
Our first goal is to take a careful and thorough look at how the disease is affecting your pet’s body. This process is called tumor staging, and it helps us better understand what your pet is facing, so we can provide the best possible care moving forward.
With diagnostic testing during staging can help tell us how far the cancer has progressed, what treatment options are available, and what we can realistically expect in terms of outcome. While these conversations can be difficult, our team is here to guide you with compassion, honesty, and respect for your goals and wishes for your pet.
To begin, we will typically perform a combination of tests. These may include bloodwork to assess organ function and overall health, a urinalysis to evaluate kidney health, and X-rays to check for signs that the cancer may have spread to areas such as the lungs. We may also recommend collecting a sample from the tumor or nearby lymph nodes using a fine needle aspirate or biopsy, which helps us learn more about the specific type of cancer your pet has.
In some cases, we may suggest repeating a test that has already been done by your primary care veterinarian. This isn’t uncommon. Cancer can change over time, and updated results help us make the most accurate and informed decisions for your pet’s care.
Depending on your pet’s condition and the type of cancer, additional diagnostic tests may be needed. These might include an ultrasound of the abdomen or chest, advanced imaging like CT or MRI scans, or specialized procedures such as contrast studies, bone marrow or lymph node sampling, or endoscopy. These tools give us a clearer picture of where the cancer is and how it’s behaving.
Once staging is complete, we’ll sit down with you to talk through the results, what they mean, and what options are available. We’ll take time to understand your priorities, whether that means pursuing aggressive treatment or focusing on comfort and quality of life.
If we find that the cancer has spread extensively, a cure may not be possible. In those cases, our approach shifts to what’s called palliative care. This means doing everything we can to keep your pet comfortable, minimize symptoms, and help them continue to enjoy life with you for as long as possible. Even when long-term control isn’t likely, there is still so much we can do to help support your pet—and you.
Throughout this process, our team is here to walk with you. Our focus is not only on the medical side of things, but on the emotional side too. We know your pet is a cherished member of your family, and every step we take is guided by that understanding.
