Pet Cancer Treatments & Diagnosis

Diagnostic Tests That May Be Recommended:

• Cytology – Examination of collected cells with a microscope to assist with a definitive diagnosis.

• Bone marrow aspirate – Removal of bone marrow fluid with a needle for submission to a lab for cytology interpretation by a clinical pathologist.

• Fine needle aspirate – Collection of cells with a needle from a suspected cancerous mass for submission to the lab for cytology interpretation by a clinical pathologist.

• Biopsy – Surgical removal of a mass, either in part or in its entirety, for microscopic examination.

• Digital radiography – Imaging the body using x-rays to help determine the health of internal structures and see if cancer has spread. All x-rays are reviewed by a board-certified radiologist.

• Ultrasound – Imaging using ultrasonic waves to determine the health of internal structures and disease status. Ultrasounds are performed by a board-certified specialist.

• Ultrasound-guided needle aspirate and biopsy – Using ultrasound to safely guide a needle or biopsy instrument to sample fluid or cells from inside the body.

• Computerized tomography (CT) scan – An x-ray imaging modality that uses computer processing to generate a detailed evaluation of a body part or tumor.