Vocabulary

When your dog is being tested for or is diagnosed with cancer, the veterinarians are going to start throwing a lot of big medical terms at you. It can be confusing and overwhelming, particularly if you have never been through anything like this before. We have listed here the definitions of some of those medical terms to help you understand.

Anemia

Anemia is a condition that develops when the blood produces a lower-than-normal amount of healthy red blood cells. If your dog has anemia, their body is not getting enough oxygen-rich blood.

Aspiration Biopsy

An aspiration biopsy is a a type of biopsy that uses a very thin needle and syringe to remove a sample of cells, tissue, or fluid from an abnormal area or lump in the body. The sample is then examined under a microscope to test for cancer. This procedure is also called a fine needle biopsy.

Benign

Benign means non-cancerous.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cells in the body. This treatment is most often used to treat cancer, since cancer cells grow and multiply much more quickly than most cells in the body. Many different chemotherapy drugs are available.

Cytology

Cytology is the examination of a single cell type. It looks at individual cells or a small cluster of cells. It is used to make a cancer diagnosis.

Edema

Edema is swelling caused by too much fluid trapped in the body’s tissues.

Excisional Biopsy

During an excisional biopsy, a scalpel is used to remove an entire lump or an area of irregular skin which is then tested for cancer. Stitches are often used to close the wound.

Histopathology

Histopathology involves examining under a microscope an entire section of tissue which contains many types of cells. This is used to diagnose and study a disease such as cancer.

Leukopenia

Low white blood cell count. This condition increases the chance of infection.

Lymph Nodes

Lymph nodes are small structures of the immune system located throughout your dog’s body. They contain white blood cells that filter out and fight infections by attacking germs circulating through his or her system.

Malignant

Malignant means cancerous.

Metastasis

Metastasis is the process by which cancer cells spread to other parts of the body. So, metastatic cancer is cancer that has spread from the point of origin to other areas in the body.

Necrosis

Necrosis is the death of cells in tissue due to disease, injury, or failure of blood supply.

Pallative Care

Pallative care is provided when a dog has a terminal illness, such as cancer, and the decision has been made to stop attempts to cure it. Pallative care helps to make the dog more comfortable as they approach the end of life. The care plan may include methods such as pain medication, massage, acupuncture, and even radiation therapy.

Pancytopenia

Pancytopenia is the term for when white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets all decrease in number.

Platelets

Platelets, or thrombocytes, are cells in the blood that form clots and stop or prevent bleeding.

Punch Biopsy

A round-tipped cutting tool is used to remove a small core of layers of skin. Stitches may be needed to close the wound.

Red Blood Cells

Red blood cells, also known as erythrocytes, deliver oxygen to the tissues throughout the body.

Stereotactic Radiation

Stereotactic radiation is a specific form of radiation therapy used to treat cancer. Multiple beams of radiation deliver precisely targeted treatment to the tumors from many different angles around the body. This results in the tumor receiving a high dose of radiation, but the tissues around it receive a lower dose. Therefore, there is less damage to the healthy tissue and a lower risk of side effects. Also, fewer treatment sessions are needed.

Subcutaneous

Subcutaneous refers to something being situated or applied under the skin. For example, a subcutaneous nodule is a nodule under the skin. Subcutaneous fluid administration is when a fluid, such as saline, is inserted in a space under the skin where it can be slowly absorbed into the body.

Thrombocytopenia

Thrombocytopenia is a condition that occurs when the platelet count in your blood is too low.

White Blood Cells

White blood cells, also called leukocytes, detect and fight infections or other foreign cells that enter the body.