Skin Cancer (Cutaneous Neoplasia)

Rare Lung-Digit Syndrome: Chronic Claw Bed 'Infection': 1st Consultation Neoplastic cells within Pus on Simple Rapid Cytology; Neoplastic Infiltrates in Lungs on Reviewed Past Chest XRay

Epitheliotropic Lymphoma: Eyelid Depigmentation & Intracutaneous Haemorrhage, Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Feline Nasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Pre- & Post-curative Surgery, then 4 weeks later

Benign Pigment Spot(s) or Skin Cancer? One of these Dogs has Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma

Advanced Nasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Bassett Hound

The many faces of Epitheliotropic Lymphoma: Scaling; Alopecia & Erythema; Moist Exudative Plaque plus immediate Diagnostic in-house Cytology

Feline Paraneoplastic Alopecia: Forelimb, Paw & Causative, Rapidly Diagnosed Fatal Metastasized Pancreatic Carcinoma

Cancer (neoplasia) describes a large number of diseases which exhibit uncontrolled cell growth & proliferation. Cutaneous tumours arise from an accumulation of mutations that escape the natural constraints on proliferation & eliminate the genetic integrity of a skin cell. Multiple alterations in critical genes are usually necessary for full neoplastic transformation. These mutations promote immortalization as well as the capacity to modify & maintain a supportive niche for survival & subsequent expansion.

Benign & malignant tumours can present in multiple ways during a Dermatology Referral Consultation – a pet may be referred for the specific condition itself, or a concurrent neoplastic lesion may be found during examination. Luckily the majority of canine cutaneous masses are benign whereas unfortunately the majority are malignant in cats. Your pet may even be showing clinical dermatological symptoms, either from distant metastases or so-called paraneoplastic signs (Click Here To Access), which alert the Dermatologist to primary, internal (hidden), neoplastic disease.

Accurate & prompt diagnosis is of paramount importance to achieve the optimal outcome in the management of cutaneous neoplasia. I will perform conscious acetate tape stripping, impression smear &/or fine needle aspirate sampling, rapid staining & immediate cytological assessment, select appropriate blood/serum tests & quickly schedule further biopsy sampling, if required, which allows for initial rapid staging & decision-making.

I can proceed with sharp & electrosurgical excisions (vs squamous cell carcinomas); new, revolutionary, conscious, intralesional injections (vs mast cell tumours); plan multiple, serial, chemotherapy protocols including imported, US-licensed, novel, small molecule, intravenous & oral medications (vs epitheliotropic lymphoma or cutaneous T Cell lymphoma); or advise on simple topical preventative measures (greasy ‘warts’ – sebaceous gland hyperplasia).

With advanced cases, I will help to arrange onward local Referral for Specialist Imaging (radiography, ultrasonography, CT or MRI) to allow TNM (Tumour-Node-Metastasis) staging &/or Oncologic Surgery, Chemotherapy &/or Radiotherapy further afield.

I keep right up-to-date with worldwide advances in all aspects of companion animal dermatology diagnosis, staging & treatment especially skin cancer. For example, within 24 hours of receiving a new publication, of a small US case series, describing a novel treatment for canine epitheliotropic lymphoma, I had updated all of my current cases with the exciting news.

Thank you for the level of detail in the report as well. It's helpful to see both the diagnostics & recommendations so clearly laid out. I know she's a challenging case & I really appreciate your efforts with her!

Referring Vet: Dr Ben Walker BVSc MRCVS
Thanks so much for checking in! We both agree that she is now a 2 or 3 on the itch chart which is just so brilliant. She’s doing amazingly and seems so happy! Like I said she is so much better & we are very happy with how it’s all going, so thank you very much!

Client Mrs Lizzie Jay, Romanian Rescue Dog ‘Dolly’
Many thanks for seeing us and young ‘Shadow’, we feel very confident in your expertise & kind way with ‘Shadow’

Client: Mrs Viv May-Hearn, Weimeraner puppy ‘Shadow'
Since you last saw 'Rory', his skin sores have improved, his coat is shiny. His ear canals are clean (no smell!). We will continue the above regime as we feel that 'Rory’s well-being & health has improved enormously.

Clients: Margaret & John Reynolds, Sussex Spaniel ‘Rory’
We write to thank you for all that you did for 'Willow' - from the outset when you were able to quickly identify her rare condition, for being prepared to take an unconventional approach to try to obtain electron beam therapy - despite what I expect were pretty short responses from human medical colleagues, & for arranging & briefing us on the three types of treatment that followed. We are grateful that you have the specialist skills & were willing to take on her rare case. It has been immensely reassuring for us to know that she has been under your watchful eye &, with that we now know, that we did everything that we could to attempt to delay the inevitable. We very much appreciate that you were able to respond so quickly out of hours when the chips were down, particularly during her last weekend when things seemed to escalate so horribly. We have been very privileged to have enjoyed Willow’s gentle companionship - even if it sadly was not for nearly as long as we would have wished. We wish you all the best.

Alex & Catherine Hall, Labrador Retriever ‘Willow’ with epitheliotropic lymphoma
Thank you, Charlie, your kind words are very much appreciated. I am so grateful to you for being able to find out what is going on so I can make sure ‘Honey’ gets the best care for what time we have left together. Thank you again, your expertise is invaluable.

Ms Michelle Jenkins, ‘Honey’, Cat with rare metastatic cancer, diagnosed at first consultation with point-of-care cytology_

Skin Cancer (Cutaneous Neoplasia)

Thank you for the level of detail in the report as well. It's helpful to see both the diagnostics & recommendations so clearly laid out. I know she's a challenging case & I really appreciate your efforts with her!

Thanks so much for checking in! We both agree that she is now a 2 or 3 on the itch chart which is just so brilliant. She’s doing amazingly and seems so happy! Like I said she is so much better & we are very happy with how it’s all going, so thank you very much!

Many thanks for seeing us and young ‘Shadow’, we feel very confident in your expertise & kind way with ‘Shadow’

Since you last saw 'Rory', his skin sores have improved, his coat is shiny. His ear canals are clean (no smell!). We will continue the above regime as we feel that 'Rory’s well-being & health has improved enormously.

Thank you, Charlie, your kind words are very much appreciated. I am so grateful to you for being able to find out what is going on so I can make sure ‘Honey’ gets the best care for what time we have left together. Thank you again, your expertise is invaluable.