Trends in veterinary cancer imaging.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary medicine
• Oncology
• Medical imaging technology

Background:

• Veterinary cancer imaging has advanced significantly, improving specificity, accuracy, and sensitivity.
• Current technologies like ultrasound, CT, and MRI aid in diagnosis, treatment planning, and response monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in veterinary cancer imaging.
• To discuss the role of traditional and emerging imaging modalities in oncology.
• To highlight the potential impact of functional imaging techniques.

Main Methods:

• Review of current diagnostic imaging technologies in veterinary oncology.
• Discussion of ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications.
• Exploration of emerging functional imaging techniques, including positron emission tomography (PET).

Main Results:

• Ultrasound offers detailed imaging and biopsy guidance.
• CT and MRI provide high anatomical resolution for planning and monitoring.
• Functional imaging techniques are being developed to assess tumor perfusion, metabolism, and gene expression.

Conclusions:

• Advanced imaging improves cancer diagnosis, margin determination, and metastasis detection in animals.
• Emerging functional imaging modalities show promise for enhanced accuracy in diagnosis, staging, and therapy response assessment.
• While some advanced techniques are not yet routine, their integration into clinical practice is anticipated.