Surgical Oncology at BVSC
Cancer treatment is more than just the surgical removal of solid tumours; our surgeons carefully consider the type and behaviour of the tumour and may recommend pre-operative biopsy or staging. Staging involves checking the body for metastatic spread of the cancer and we often utilise advance imaging. Our surgeons are provided with digital radiography, high definition ultrasonography, high speed computerized tomography (CT), high field magnetic image intensification (MRI 3 & 7T) and positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET-CT) to help provide prognostic information for pet owners.
A surgical oncologist (cancer surgeon) is trained in the diagnosis, prognosis and best treatments available for patients with cancer. Surgery is often a large component of cancer treatment and can be curative in some cases. Unlike in human hospital where cancer surgeons are specialised in fairly specific organ systems, our surgical oncologists are skilled in treating cancers in all systems of the body and in both dogs and cats. Our surgical oncology team is internationally recognised. A driving force and cornerstone for our highly trained oncology team is Dr Rod Straw, who is a surgical oncologist and founding fellow of surgical oncology with the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. He has exclusively been treating pets with cancer since 1986 and started the first oncology service for pets in Australia in 1995.
Abdominal and thoracic tumours require delicate and careful dissection and our surgeons have access to a variety of specialised instruments to achieve the best results. The ForceTriad Energy Platform is a full-featured electrosurgical system that provides cutting and coagulation, bipolar functionality and vessel sealing. Ligasure handpieces, powered by the ForceTriad (www.medtronic.com), allow us to safely and efficiently dissect highly vascular tissues. Transabdominal (TA) and gastrointestinal anastomosis (GIA) stapling devices are utilised in many soft tissue surgeries; lung and liver lobectomies and intestinal anastomoses.
At BVSC our oncology team consists of specialists in surgery, internal medicine and radiation therapy to ensure that the patient is surrounded by all aspects of animal cancer treatment.
