Surgical oncology of exotic animals

This article reviews the initial management of exotic patients with amass. The important principles of the initial workup, including how to get a definitive diagnosis and how to stage the extent of the disease are covered. There are many biopsy instruments currently available, and the advantages and disadvantages of these are presented. Principles of tumor excision and marking the tissue sampled are also discussed. It is important to submit all of the tissue excised and evaluate the surgical margins for the presence of neoplastic cells, even if the tumor seems too small to put in the sample vial. Follow-up for patients that have had cancer surgery is also reviewed, along with the effects of adjunct therapies on wound healing.