Canine prostate cancer is a widespread form of the disease that afflicts thousands of dogs each year. Unlike some other forms of cancer, which may be readily noticeable on the surface of the skin and, therefore, more easily excised, canine prostate cancer typically consists of an internal growth. Surgeries to remove a tumor of the prostate gland can be expensive and dangerous. As a result, veterinarians have begun to turn to photodynamic therapy as a treatment method for this often-fatal condition.
Photodynamic Therapy Overview
Photodynamic therapy is an innovative treatment method for cancers
of many types. Originally developed for human use, it requires a
photosensitive agent and light in order to attack and eliminate
cancerous cells.
The mechanism by which photodynamic therapy
functions involves the property of certain substances to emit, when
exposed to certain wavelengths of light, a form of oxygen that kills
surrounding cells. During photodynamic therapy, your veterinarian will
inject your pet with a particular photosensitive agent and allow it to
permeate his bloodstream. Days later, after the agent has been
eliminated from all healthy cells and only remains in cancerous ones, a
veterinary surgeon will expose your pet to the appropriate type of
light. The reaction of the agent to the light will kill the surrounding
cancer cells.
Procedure for Treating Canine Prostate Cancer
Following a diagnosis of canine prostate cancer, you and your vet
should discuss all possible treatment methods. Photodynamic therapy is
a responsive and effective treatment type, but it is expensive and may
not be necessary in all cases.
Once you have decided on
photodynamic therapy for your pet, your veterinarian will conduct a
series of physical examinations and blood tests in order to determine
your pet’s candidacy for the treatment. The procedure itself is
typically an outpatient type treatment, where you will bring your pet
in for periodic injections and light treatments. During the course of
the treatment, you will need to monitor your pet for signs of adverse
effects, and your veterinarian will monitor his cancer closely to check
for the effectiveness of the therapy.
Side Effects of Photodynamic Therapy and Other Considerations
Photodynamic therapy has few side effects. Because of the procedure
involved, it is more localized than chemotherapy or standard radiation,
which means that your pet will suffer fewer adverse effects overall.
Although there is a chance that healthy cells will be destroyed during
the procedure, photodynamic therapy is incredibly accurate.
In
many cases, photodynamic therapy is a cheaper alternative to
chemotherapy and other cancer management methods. Additionally,
scientists have noted that photodynamic therapy may inhibit tumor
development by limiting blood flow to the growth itself. This will slow
the spread of your pet’s cancer and allow you more time to treat it.
Photodynamic
therapy is limited in its scope. Most lights can only penetrate 1 inch
or less of your pet’s skin. If the tumor is located deeper inside of
his body, photodynamic therapy may not be the most effective treatment
option.
If your pet has been diagnosed with canine prostate
cancer, consult with a veterinarian about the possibility of utilizing
photodynamic therapy to safely and effectively target your dog’s cancer.