Oncology Center

Oncology center for dogs and cats

A full oncology workflow — staging first, then a treatment plan built around surgical oncology, chemotherapy and, where indicated, electrochemotherapy (ECT). Surgical oncology is our main differentiator.

Staging and diagnosis

Every cancer case starts with staging: FNA or biopsy, imaging (X-ray, ultrasound, CT when indicated), bloodwork and partner-lab histopathology. Staging tells us what it is, whether it has spread, and what is realistically treatable.

• FNA cytology and biopsy planning
• Thoracic / abdominal imaging for metastasis screening
• Histopathology and IHC at reference labs when needed

Surgical oncology — our main strength

Complete excision with clean margins remains the best chance of cure for many solid tumors. Our board-certified surgeons plan margins by tumor type and use advanced vessel-sealing (Harmonic, LigaSure) for cleaner, faster dissection — including locations general practices often decline.

• Margin planning by tumor type
• Harmonic blade and LigaSure vessel sealing
• Joint planning with the anesthesia team for high-risk patients

Chemotherapy

For lymphoma, mast cell tumor, transitional cell carcinoma, osteosarcoma and other chemo-responsive cancers, we tailor protocols to tumor type, stage and quality of life, with in-house blood monitoring during treatment.

Electrochemotherapy (ECT) — when indicated

ECT combines a low-dose chemotherapy agent with brief electrical pulses at the tumor to drive drug uptake. It is not a substitute for complete surgery when surgery is possible, but it has a clear role in selected situations.

• Cutaneous / subcutaneous mast cell tumor or sarcoma
• Incomplete surgical margins that cannot be re-excised
• Difficult locations such as the face or distal limbs
• Palliative control of ulcerated or bleeding masses

Tumors we commonly treat surgically

For most solid masses, complete excision with clean margins is still the highest-cure path. These are the groups we plan and operate on regularly, in coordination with the surgery center for anesthesia and instrumentation.

• Mast cell tumor grade I–II with planned margins
• Soft-tissue sarcoma — fibrosarcoma, hemangiopericytoma, PNST
• Mammary tumors in dogs and cats — partial or chain mastectomy
• Splenic masses — splenectomy (HSA, hematoma, nodular hyperplasia)
• Hepatic masses — lobectomy for focal disease
• Perianal adenoma / adenocarcinoma and anal-sac adenocarcinoma
• Oral tumors — acanthomatous ameloblastoma, low-grade SCC, oral fibrosarcoma
• Thyroid tumors in dogs; selected adrenal masses

Tumors where ECT is often considered

ECT has a role when complete margins are not achievable, location is difficult, or as adjuvant after incomplete excision.

• Cutaneous / subcutaneous MCT that cannot be fully excised
• Feline nasal-planum SCC (early) — alternative or adjunct to surgery
• Soft-tissue sarcoma with dirty or narrow margins (adjuvant ECT)
• Accessible oral melanoma and acanthomatous ameloblastoma
• Perianal / scrotal masses when surgery is limited
• Ulcerated bleeding skin masses — local palliation
• Local recurrence after prior surgery

How a cancer case moves through PSAH

A clear process helps owners decide without surprises.

• Consult and mass assessment — history, exam, measure/photo, lymph nodes, anesthetic risk
• Diagnosis and staging — FNA / histopathology, bloodwork, imaging
• Treatment plan — realistic options with prognosis, cost, risk and quality-of-life impact
• Treatment — surgery, chemo, ECT under anesthesia, or coordinated CT / radiation referral
• Follow-up — rechecks, imaging, side-effect management and palliative care as needed