Improving prostate cancer outcomes
Improving prostate cancer outcomes
Much like in humans’ dogs can also develop prostate cancer. Whilst it is uncommon in dogs, when it does occur it tends to be aggressive, fast-growing and very quick to spread around the body. Sadly, dogs with prostate cancer can have trouble going to the toilet and can experience abdominal and back pain with most affected dogs needing to be put to sleep within a few weeks to months of their diagnosis.
It is difficult to treat this type of cancer, but due to the Rumba Animal Cancer Foundation providing the c-arm fluoroscope - an x-ray system that allows clinicians to see a real-time x-ray, the team at AURA were the first in Europe to perform a prostatic embolization. This is where the small blood vessels supplying the prostate gland are blocked off, thereby shrinking the prostate cancer tumour. This technique can also be performed alongside intra-arterial chemotherapy which is the delivery of the chemotherapy drugs direct into the arteries supplying the tumour.
In the past 24 months over forty dogs have received this innovative treatment with excellent results both in terms of shrinking the prostate cancer tumours but also improving the quality of life of those dogs affected. Dr Gerard McLauchlan, a specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine at AURA explains:
“We have been developing and refining new techniques for treating various cancers over the past two years at our oncology and soft tissue centre. Really excellent results have been seen so far in cases with prostate cancer treated with intra-arterial chemotherapy and embolisation is the next logical step for managing this condition. Prostatic embolisation has only been performed at two centres in the United States and has shown very promising results in terms of patients’ quality of life and overall survival. With a recent study documenting the mean survival of patient with prostate cancer receiving standard intravenous chemotherapy as being only 101 days these new techniques offer an amazing opportunity to truly change how we view and manage this condition”.
With your support we can continue to fund the latest equipment, ensuring the best chance of successful treatment.