Chemotherapy in a nutshell: Safety, protocol, drug doses & other considerations

Chemotherapy is one of three principal methods for treatment of veterinary cancer patients. Chemotherapy protocols are not only chosen based on the histopathological diagnosis of the neoplasia, but also based on other considerations, such as extent of the disease, aim of treatment, clinical status of the patient, financial and time commitment of the owners, treatment related success and anticipated adverse effects. Though chemotherapy related adverse effects are reasonably uncommon, they can significantly affect the patients quality of life and efficacy of treatment. It is therefore extremely important that we recognise them quickly and treat them efficiently or make every attempt to prevent them. Health and safety measures are of primary importance when dealing with cytotoxic drugs and patients receiving them. And though complications with chemotherapy administration occur rarely, it is essential we know what to do when things go wrong.

Spela Bavcar

Oncology Specialist

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Spela graduated from the Veterinary Faculty at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia in 2010. Spela then completed two oncology externships in the USA before an internship in a Dutch private practice. In 2017, she became a Diplomate in Oncology, after completing her oncology residency at the University of Edinburgh; where she remained at the university to become the Head of the Oncology department and a Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Oncology, before relocating to Sydney in 2021 o join the SASH Cancer Centre.