Page 1 - Clinical Connections- Autumn 2021

CLINICAL CONNECTIONS

RVC Clinical Services Newsletter Autumn 2021

ADVANCING LIVER TUMOUR TREATMENT

VC Small Animal Referrals carcinomas. In these situations, TACE can of the blood supply to a liver tumour is
is now offering transarterial be considered. arterial through the hepatic artery, whereas
R chemoembolisation (TACE) for Chemoembolisation is the delivery the predominant blood supply to normal
dogs with non-resectable liver tumours. It of an embolic agent combined with liver parenchyma is venous through the
is a procedure performed only in a small chemotherapy to a selected blood vessel portal vein.
number of veterinary services in the world. to cause slowing or cessation of blood TACE is a well-established treatment in
Surgical resection is considered the flow to the tumour via vascular occlusion human medicine, and randomised clinical
gold standard treatment for liver tumours and induce cancer cell death. TACE trials have shown that it improves the
in dogs. However, some tumours are allows the administration of higher doses survival and quality of life of patients with
not amenable for surgical excision as of chemotherapy directly to the tumour liver tumours. Its use in veterinary patients
they occur in challenging locations and while decreasing the systemic side effects is growing, but only few hospitals offer this
complete excision is associated with associated with the more traditional treatment in the UK. It represents a novel,
increased morbidity or may not be possible. chemotherapy. innovative treatment for dogs in cases
Treatment options for these patients tend The concept of embolisation has been where surgery to remove a liver tumour
to be very limited due to the inherent most studied in the liver due to its unique is not an option due to its challenging
chemoresistance associated with most of blood supply and the relationship of this location, or simply when the owners
these tumours – especially hepatocellular blood supply to that of liver tumours – most would not consider a surgical approach

P. 4 P. 6-7 P.8 P.10
A NEW DIMENSION IN GASTROINTESTINAL ADVANCED VET NURSE TRANSFUSION
VISUALISATION DISEASE IN HORSES CERTIFICATES MEDICINE