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Advances in Small Animal Surgical Oncology
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Advances in Small Animal Surgical Oncology

A Special Issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615) belonging to the section "Veterinary Clinical Studies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 4945

Editor

Dr. Maureen A. Griffin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, CO, USA
Interests: surgical oncology; minimally invasive surgery; interventional oncology; robotic surgery; sentinel lymph node mapping; near-infrared imaging

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Surgical oncology remains a key pillar of cancer care in small animal veterinary medicine, offering opportunities for improved diagnostic assessment, effective disease control, and enhanced quality of life. In recent years, the field has advanced significantly, driven by innovations in imaging, surgical techniques, perioperative management, and a deeper understanding of tumor biology and the role of surgery within multimodal treatment strategies. Collectively, these developments have broadened the indications for oncologic surgery and contributed to improved clinical outcomes in companion animals.

This Special Issue, Advances in Small Animal Surgical Oncology, highlights recent progress in this dynamic and evolving field. Featured topics include innovative surgical techniques, minimally invasive approaches, sentinel lymph node mapping applications, margin assessment, reconstructive strategies, novel imaging modalities aimed at optimizing identification and resection of both local and metastatic disease, and the incorporation of surgery with (neo)adjuvant therapies. Additional emphasis is placed on evidence-based decision-making, prognostic indicators, and the expanding role of surgery within companion animal oncology and its translational applications.

Through contributions from leading experts in small animal surgical oncology, this Special Issue aims to provide clinicians and researchers with practical insights and updates that can directly impact patient care. As cancer remains a leading health concern and cause of death in companion animals, continued innovation in surgical oncology is essential for broadening treatment possibilities and improving outcomes.

Dr. Maureen A. Griffin
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • surgical oncology
  • companion animal
  • surgery
  • oncology
  • chemotherapy
  • comparative oncology

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 28097 KB  
Article
Percutaneous Cementoplasty as a Monotherapy in the Treatment of Appendicular Osteosarcoma in Ten Dogs
by Sandra L. MacArthur, Kevin A. Drygas, Daniel D. Lewis, James C. Colee and Aquilino Villamonte-Chevalier
Animals 2026, 16(12), 1823; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16121823 - 12 Jun 2026
Viewed by 827
Abstract
This prospective case series evaluated the short-term outcomes following percutaneous cementoplasty as the sole palliative treatment for appendicular osteosarcoma in 10 dogs. Synthetic self-hardening calcium phosphate bone substitute was injected into the osseous defect under fluoroscopic guidance after curettage of the bone tumor. [...] Read more.
This prospective case series evaluated the short-term outcomes following percutaneous cementoplasty as the sole palliative treatment for appendicular osteosarcoma in 10 dogs. Synthetic self-hardening calcium phosphate bone substitute was injected into the osseous defect under fluoroscopic guidance after curettage of the bone tumor. Clinician assessment included a numerical rating score for lameness, offloading, and ease of lifting the contralateral limb as well as the 4A-VET postoperative pain scale. Owner assessment was obtained using three descriptive questionnaires, the Helsinki Chronic Pain Index (HCPI), the Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI) and the Canine Symptom Assessment Scale (CSAS). Measures were recorded preoperatively and at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks following surgery. Early improvement in the 4A-Vet score was noted at the 2-, 4-, 8-, and 12-week time points for all major pain and function metrics. Similarly, the CBPI pain severity and interference scores demonstrated early postoperative improvement during the 2- and 4-week time points with partial attenuation by 8 and 12 weeks. Panting, difficulty sleeping, whining/moaning, and lack of appetite were significantly reduced when assessed via the CSAS. Cementoplasty as a monotherapy, affording early pain relief and improved structural integrity, supports its role as a palliative limb-preserving option for dogs unable to undergo amputation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Small Animal Surgical Oncology)
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Review

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25 pages, 323 KB  
Review
Near-Infrared Imaging in Small Animal Surgical Oncology: Current Applications and Future Directions
by Maureen A. Griffin
Animals 2026, 16(10), 1563; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16101563 - 21 May 2026
Viewed by 627
Abstract
The use of near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging has become increasingly widespread in the intraoperative management of human cancer patients, with diverse applications that enhance the visualization of tumors, metastatic lesions, draining lymph nodes, and critical anatomy. In recent years, the adoption of NIR [...] Read more.
The use of near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging has become increasingly widespread in the intraoperative management of human cancer patients, with diverse applications that enhance the visualization of tumors, metastatic lesions, draining lymph nodes, and critical anatomy. In recent years, the adoption of NIR imaging in small animal surgical oncology has grown, with reported applications including nonselective and selective tumor imaging as well as sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping for staging and surgical guidance. Despite these advances, clinical use in veterinary patients remains in its early stages, and further work is needed to define indications, optimize protocols, and determine its impact on outcomes. This review summarizes the current applications of NIR imaging in companion animal oncologic surgery, including techniques for dye administration, imaging agents, and reported clinical uses across tumor types. Key limitations are discussed, including limited tissue penetration, lack of tumor specificity with commonly used agents such as indocyanine green, variability in protocols, and limited data in certain species. Emerging technologies, including targeted fluorescent agents and advanced imaging approaches, are also highlighted. Overall, NIR imaging represents a promising adjunct in small animal surgical oncology, though further study and standardization are needed to support broader clinical integration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Small Animal Surgical Oncology)

Other

Jump to: Research, Review

11 pages, 3538 KB  
Case Report
Long-Term Survival in a Dog After Adrenalectomy and Splenectomy for Two Different Malignancies with Portal Vein Involvement
by Seung-Hyun Kim, Jun-Gyu Park, Jang-Han Yoon, Yeong-Bin Baek and Sang-Ik Park
Animals 2025, 15(21), 3159; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15213159 - 30 Oct 2025
Viewed by 2339
Abstract
Concurrent occurrence of two independent primary malignancies in a single dog is rare and presents diagnostic and surgical challenges. A 9-year-old neutered male Cocker Spaniel was diagnosed with adrenal pheochromocytoma and splenic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Abdominal imaging revealed two distinct masses. Surgical [...] Read more.
Concurrent occurrence of two independent primary malignancies in a single dog is rare and presents diagnostic and surgical challenges. A 9-year-old neutered male Cocker Spaniel was diagnosed with adrenal pheochromocytoma and splenic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Abdominal imaging revealed two distinct masses. Surgical management included adrenalectomy, splenectomy, mesenteric lymphadenectomy, and excision of a small mass adherent to the portal vein adventitia. Histopathology confirmed two separate malignancies, with chromogranin A positivity supporting pheochromocytoma and CD20 positivity confirming B-cell lymphoma. No additional metastatic lesions were identified, and the portal vein-associated mass was considered an isolated lesion closely adherent to the vessel wall, with its exact pathogenesis remaining uncertain. To the authors’ knowledge, this represents the first veterinary report describing adrenal pheochromocytoma with portal vein involvement successfully managed by surgical removal. The patient recovered well and remained disease-free for three years without adjuvant therapy. This case emphasizes that, even in technically demanding situations, meticulous surgical planning and comprehensive oncologic assessment can achieve durable remission and inform future approaches to complex veterinary cancers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Small Animal Surgical Oncology)
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