Common Feline Cancers
A four week online tutored CPD course with Nicola Read
Week 1
Mammary Tumours
Mammary tumours are a common tumour in cats which are often malignant, yet a small percentage are benign. Early detection and intervention can have a positive outcome and some patients go on to live disease-free lives, others require continuous treatment and monitoring.
- Presentation and behaviour of mammary tumours
- Diagnosis and staging
- Treatment modalities and monitoring considerations
Learning objectives:
By the end of this week, delegates should be able to:
- Explain the potential causes of mammary tumours in cats
- List what investigative procedures may be necessary to secure a diagnosis and what safety factors should be observed when sampling masses
- Understand which treatment modalities are most useful for which form of the disease
- Describe the patient and client care considerations when managing cases of feline mammary tumours
Week 2
Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphocytes and/or lymphoid tissue, which is present in many locations within the body; presentation and treatment of these cases is dependant on location. This week we will cover:
- Manifestation of feline lymphoma and categories of disease
- Diagnosis, staging and prognostic indicators
- Treatment options for feline lymphoma
- Chemotherapy protocols, client expectations and how to create a feline friendly environment
Learning objectives:
By the end of this week, delegates should be able to:
- List the common manifestations of feline lymphoma and the patient groups most affected
- Understand the value of staging and monitoring the disease
- Describe the subtypes of feline lymphoma and the difference in treatment approaches
- Explain the rationale of a multimodal chemotherapy protocol and how it may impact on prognosis
- Analyse personal skill set and determine how you could support feline patients with lymphoma using your practice facilities
Week 3
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common form of head and mouth cancer in cats; the behaviour of this neoplasm is sometimes unpredictable and can be very invasive. On week three we discuss the presentation, investigation and treatment options available for these patients and look at some practices which are novel to veterinary medicine.
- Presentation, diagnosis and staging of squamous cell carcinoma, including lymph node mapping
- Treatment options and impact on prognosis
- Surgical interventions, nursing support and rehabilitation
- Introduction to electrochemotherapy and photodynamic therapy
Learning objectives:
By the end of this week, delegates should be able to:
- Describe the different imaging techniques used to evaluate feline squamous cell carcinoma
- List treatment options and prognostic indicators for feline squamous cell carcinoma
- Understand the mechanism of action behind novel techniques for feline squamous cell carcinoma
- Describe the common surgical interventions and post-operative patient considerations
Week 4
Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Feline injection site sarcoma (FISS) is one of the most common soft tissue sarcomas of cats. The disease may present as a minor mass to the owner but often this is just the tip of the iceberg. Week 4 looks at FISS in more detail and brings the courses learning materials all together in this last week
- Soft tissue sarcoma pathophysiology overview
- Diagnostic and staging processes
- Treatment options, radiation and surgical management
- Adjuvant (post-operative) chemotherapy and restaging
Learning objectives:
By the end of this week, delegates should be able to:
- Describe the diagnostic approach to determining cancer diagnosis and tumour burden
- Explain typical neoplastic behaviour of FISS and the impact of intervention on survival time
- Understand the fundamental reasoning for adjuvant chemotherapy and the options for post-operative care
CPD Course Content
Welcome
Week 1 - Mammary Tumours Available on: 08/01/2024 12:00 am
Week 2 - Lymphoma Available on: 15/01/2024 12:00 am
Week 3 - Squamous Cell Carcinoma Available on: 22/01/2024 12:00 am
Week 4 - Soft Tissue Sarcomas Available on: 29/01/2024 12:00 am
Feedback Available on: 29/02/2024 12:00 am
Common Feline Cancers
Course progress
Online CPD for Vet Nurses
Excel CPD specialises in providing online CPD for veterinary nurses and technicians all over the globe. Our courses are also fully approved by AVNAT for our nursing colleagues in Australia and New Zealand.