Patient-related factors
It is important to remember that the best treatment for a particular tumor does not necessarily constitute the best treatment for a particuliar patient or the best treatment from the owner’s perspective. The most important patient-related factor to be considered is the animal’s general health and activity or performance status. For example, a cat or dog with markedly diminished activity and severe constitutional signs (i.e., poor performance status) may not be a good candidate for aggressive chemotherapy or for the repeated anesthetic episodes required for external beam radiotherapy.
Age by itself is not a factor that should be considered when discussing cancer therapy with the owner (i.e., “age is not a disease”). For example, a 14-year-old dog in excellent health is a better candidate for chemotherapy or radiotherapy that a 9-year-old dog with chronic renal failure or decompensated congestive heart failure. Patient-related factors should be addressed before one institutes specific cancer treatment (e.g., correct the azetomia, improve the nutritional status with enteral feeding).
We would love to hear your pet's story. Please add a comment.
Age by itself is not a factor that should be considered when discussing cancer therapy with the owner (i.e., “age is not a disease”). For example, a 14-year-old dog in excellent health is a better candidate for chemotherapy or radiotherapy that a 9-year-old dog with chronic renal failure or decompensated congestive heart failure. Patient-related factors should be addressed before one institutes specific cancer treatment (e.g., correct the azetomia, improve the nutritional status with enteral feeding).
We would love to hear your pet's story. Please add a comment.
