In human oncology, statistics for cancer survival are available for large numbers of patients in various stages of disease and using various treatments; medical oncologists use these statistics to help predict a prognosis (the chance of cure or long-term remission) for their patients. Such statistical studies are much more limited and much less available in veterinary medicine, however; the funding and long-term follow-up evaluations necessary to accumulate such information have not been available to veterinarians except in a very limited fashion. It must be remembered, however, that statistics are averages based on large numbers of patients. They cannot be used to predict what will happen to a particular patient, because no two patients are alike. One of the most important ideas to remember in oncology is that each patient is unique, and each cancer that develops is also unique. A tumor that is treatable in one animal may not be treatable in another, for a multitude of reasons---location of the tumor, age of the animal, the animal's other medical problems, cost of treatment, etc. A French clinician once said, "Il n'y a pas des maladies, seulement les malades." In other words, there are no diseases, only patients with diseases. An owner should feel free to ask the doctor about their pet's prognosis, but should keep in mind that even the most astute veterinary oncologist cannot predict exactly what will happen to their pet. In some cases, the doctor will be able to predict the chance of remission (disappearance of the tumor for a time) but not the chance for a cure. The oncologist will be likely to use the term "remission" rather than "cure," because the disease may recur several months or even more than a year after the patient seems to be free from signs of cancer.
Each animal should be thoroughly evaluated for the advisability of treatment before recommendations are presented to the owner; often, a range of treatment possibilities will be presented, from the most conservative to the most radical. The conservative option may have the least chance of a cure but the best chance of preserving good quality of life for the short term. The radical treatment option may hold out the best chance of a cure, but at what cost to the animal's quality of life while the treatment is ongoing? Each pet owner must decide what option is best for his or her pet. Besides taking into account the pet's quality of life, the owner must also consider what he or she is prepared to handle, emotionally and financially. Many cancer treatment protocols require a great commitment of time and money on the part of the owner, and this is just not possible for some individuals with busy lives. An informed and medically up-to-date veterinarian who has taken care of the pet and has known the owner for years should be in the best position to help the owner make the most appropriate decision for his or her pet.
