What does the future hold for cancer treatment in animals?

Obviously, the means of treatment that have been discussed are not the ultimate answers to the control of cancer. These answers will only be forthcoming when the reasons for the transformation of a cell from normal to neoplastic are determined---and when the cell's malignant transformation can actually be prevented. This objective will take extensive research, which is continuing in medical centers and cancer hospitals across the world (fig.1).

Figure 1: Hopefully, with continued research, control or even cure of cancer will be our goal for the future.

Human and veterinary oncologists are both striving to reach the same goal---a knowledge of cancer so complete that we are able to diagnose a tumor in its microscopic stage and effect a cure through therapy targeted at these particular abnormal cells, without harming the rest of the body. Let us hope that a few decades from now, young veterinarians, veterinary oncologists, and physicians will be able to look with amazement (and a little disdain) on the primitive methods we now use to control or cure cancer in our pets.