Cancer Chemotherapy in Small Animal Practice

Cancer chemotherapy is an important new and growing area of veterinary medicine. Many practitioners are regularly using cytotoxic drugs for cancer therapy as diagnosis of the condition is relatively straightforward. However, the theory behind the use of these potent drugs is poorly understood and few practitioners have any training in this area. This book is the first to provide comprehensive coverage of the subject. Using text, notes and tabulated information it provides a highly practical guide to the correct treatment of tumours and the pharmacology behind the use of cytotoxic drugs. After considering the basic principles of tumour biology and the application of cytotoxic drugs, the book reviews the mode of action of the most frequently used groups of cytotoxic drugs. This is supported by comprehensive tables detailing specific agents, trade names, indications of dose rates and toxicity Preface.

1. Background and Perspective.

Part 1 - Basic Principles.

2. Basic Principles of Tumour Biology.

3. Basic Principles of Anticancer Chemotherapy.

Part 2 - Chemotherapeutic Agents.

4. Cytotoxic Agents.

Part 3 - Practical Considerations.

5. Complications of Chemotherapy.

6. Patient Selection Clinical Considerations Concerning the Administration of Cytotoxic Drugs in Veterinary Practice.

7. Precautions for the Safe Handling of Cytotoxic Drugs.

Part 4 - Specific Conditions.

8. Chemotherapy in the Management of Lymphoproliferative and.

Myeloproliferative Diseases.

9. Chemotherapy in the Management of Solid Tumours.

10. The Use of Cytotoxic Drugs for Immunosuppression.

11. Problem-oriented Approach to Emergency States or Complications of Therapy.

Part 5 - New Approaches.

12. New Approaches to Cancer Therapy.

Appendices.

Bibliography.

Index.

Jane Dobson is a graduate of the Royal Veterinary College. She went to Cambridge as a research assistant working on cancer treatment and received the BSAVA Woodrow award in 1994. She is a founding Diplomate in the subspeciality of Oncology in ECVIM and founding member of the European Radiation Oncology Education & Credentials Committee. She is the co-author of Small Animal Oncology, co-editor of 2nd and 3rd editions of the BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Oncology. Whilst the use of chemotherapy in veterinary practice is expanding, many veterinarians have limited experience of use of cytotoxic drugs.

This book is intended both as an introduction to anticancer chemotherapy and as a practical guide to the use of chemotherapy in the management of cancer in animals. As an introduction to the subject, the basic principles of tumour biology and chemotherapy are explained in depth. As a practical guide, individual agents are described according to their modes of action, indicators, dose rates and toxicity. Chapters also consider specific conditions appropriate for chemotherapeutic treatment, together with treatment regimes and comprehensive tables detailing specific agents, dose rates and toxicity. In addition, consideration is given to problems associated with chemotherapy, including advice on precautions for safe handling of cytotoxic drugs.

Using text, notes and tabulated information, this highly practical guide should be read by all practitioners interested in cancer therapy and the careful and rational use of cytotoxic drugs in veterinary practice.