The Story of Murphy ~ When cancer strikes . . .
Murphy, a beautiful black-and-white Great Dane, had a problem: a severe limp in her left front leg. An x-ray taken by her owner, Windsor veterinarian Dr. Robin Downing, revealed a bone tumor. Dr. Downing consulted with Dr. Stephen Withrow, Chief of Clinical Oncology at Colorado State University's Animal Cancer Center. He confirmed her worst fears.
Murphy had osteosarcoma, the most common type of bone cancer in dogs, occurring in more than 8,000 dogs every year. The cancer eats away at bone. If it isn't identified and treated, it attacks other organs. The long-term outlook for dogs with osteosarcoma has, until recently, been poor.
Where you go for help . . .
Murphy's cancer had been detected early enough to make surgery possible - surgery that could prolong and improve her quality of life. Dr. Withrow and his oncology team performed a revolutionary surgery pioneered at Colorado State University. This "limb-sparing" surgery removed Murphy's tumor and the affected bone, and replaced it with healthy bone from the Animal Cancer Center's one-of-a-kind bone bank. The next day, Murphy was back home with her family.
Makes all the Difference. . .
Over the next few months, Murphy received specialized chemotherapy treatments and first-rate care from the entire oncology team at Colorado State University. Nearly two years after her surgery, she has defied the odds. Now cancer-free, she has a quality of life that Dr. Downing describes as "absolutely stupendous." With no signs of cancer, and enjoying the mobility of her new front leg, Murphy brings hope to both dogs and humans, the hope that osteosarcoma can be cured.
Revolutionary cancer treatments for animals . . . and humans
Just a few years ago, the only treatment for osteosarcoma was amputation. But today, thanks to limb-sparing surgery and associated therapies perfected by oncologists at the Animal Cancer Center, hundreds of dogs enjoy a high quality of life.
More Info About The Animal Cancer Center
"Mayo Clinic" of Animal Cancer
People from around the country bring their pets with cancer to the team at the Animal Cancer Center, which has earned a reputation as the "Mayo Clinic of animal oncology." Many of the innovative techniques and protocols developed at the Animal Cancer Center have been successfully applied to human patients.
"Because of the work done by Dr. Stephen Withrow and his team, we have increased the survival rate of children with osteosarcoma from 70 percent to 90 percent. One out of five children who used to die from this bone cancer now live."
Ross Wilkins, M.D., Medical Director, Institute for Limb Preservation in Denver, CO Oncologists at the Animal Cancer Center spread their knowledge by treating patients from around the country and providing veterinarians worldwide with cancer treatment consultations.
The Center has successfully:
- Perfected revolutionary "limb-sparing" surgical procedures used worldwide on animals and humans.
- Trained more veterinary surgical, medical, and radiation oncologists than any other veterinary institution and published more than 1,000 scientific papers in veterinary and human medical journals.
- Pioneered surgical, chemotherapy, and radiation protocols that are shared daily with veterinarians around the world.
- Received more than 25 consecutive years of funding from the National Cancer Institute and is the only veterinary group to do so.
- Developed unique biodegradable chemotherapy "sponges" to combat osteosarcoma and aid post-operative chemotherapy and radiation.
- Developed an internationally patented diet for pets, shown to reduce cancer therapy side effects and improve quality of life.
- Instituted one of the first services in the country offering counseling to pet owners making decisions about their pets.
- Begun a strong complementary and alternative medicine program.
- Been officially recognized by Colorado State University as a program of scientific and scholarly excellence.
- Operates the oldest continuous radiation therapy program for animals in the world.
The Animal Cancer Center
The Animal Cancer Center in Fort Collins, Colorado, handles more than 7,000 appointments and more than 1,500 new animal cancer patients annually. The entire group includes over 40 clinicians, scientists, nurses, technicians, and support staff who make up the single, greatest resource in the world fighting cancer in animals.
"You consulted with my veterinarians in New York and Florida, and all of you together developed a game plan to fight the disease. Because of your treatments, our terrier, Hercules, is still with us at age 13 and is enjoying a very fun-filled, quality life. I'd like your readers to know there is hope. Cancer is not the end of your pet's life. There is hope because there are people like you who are in the trenches each day, fighting on behalf of all of us who love our companions." - Paul G. Moore, owner of Hercules
Studying the effects of disease leads to treatments . . . and cures
The team of compassionate professionals at the Animal Cancer Center provides exemplary care on a daily basis. They use the lessons learned from each patient to push the frontiers of science toward new discoveries. Using the latest tools, scientists examine cancer at molecular, genetic, and cellular levels to address the most perplexing questions about cancer.
The National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, Morris Animal Foundation, Bayer Animal Health, The Limb Preservation Institute, and AlloSource, formerly Mile High Transplant Bank, all help support research at the Animal Cancer Center.
Obstacles to continuing progress
The world's greatest wealth of animal cancer knowledge exists at the Animal Cancer Center. Now, space limitations and lack of necessary equipment hamper progress. Existing labs are overcrowded and lack the right environment for important research that affects pets, their owners, and veterinarians globally.
A proposed new wing, to be located on the west side of the existing Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Colorado State, will provide space well into the future for the Animal Cancer Center, as well as better facilities and equipment to improve on the work already being done.
Improved and efficient laboratories will lead to better results.
For the Animal Cancer Center to continue in its groundbreaking work, oncologists need specifically designed facilities. The areas identified as priorities are:
Nuclear Medicine
In order to diagnose and treat a wide variety of animals, nuclear medicine needs its own laboratory and safe storage conditions for radioactive materials.
Tumor Cell-Culture Lab
This lab will allow oncologists to grow cancer tumors in cell culture and treat them outside of the body to predict which treatment will be appropriate for individual patients.
Specialized Bone Lab
This lab will facilitate testing and production of products derived from bone, including demineralized bone powder, bone grafts, and antibiotic beads, all effectively used in cancer therapy.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
The most sensitive imaging technique for diagnosing tumors, their extent, and their distribution within the animal, MRIs make more precise and accurate surgery and radiation therapy possible. MRI images will enable oncologists to monitor the progress of cancer treatments.
Rooms for Complementary Medicine
We need to take acupuncture patients out of the hallways and into a place where integrative healing techniques, including massage and physical therapies, are being studied and administered. Our goal is to integrate complementary medicine with the state-of-the-art cancer therapies currently offered at the Animal Cancer Center.
Nutrition, Bioengineering, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, and Radionuclide Labs
These labs will enable the team to continue its breakthroughs in the treatment of cancer patients, cancer research, and education.
Architectural Drawing of New Addition
Architect's model of the proposed wing for the Animal Cancer Center/Argus Center at the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. View is the south facade of the hospital. The proposed construction modifies the building front and adds the new wing to the west of the existing building.
You reap the rewards!
The Great Dane, "Murphy" Downing, lives a healthy and happy life because of 20 years of Animal Cancer Center work that preceded her operation. Effective bone grafting, special diet, localized chemotherapy, and conventional chemotherapy protocols are all techniques that were perfected and performed on other patients before Murphy.
Cancer is the country's leading cause of death in dogs, second in cats, and the second leading cause of death in humans. The work being done at the Animal Cancer Center is improving and saving the lives of pets nationwide, while also informing other professionals and bringing hope to human cancer patients.
We can't do it without you!
To continue and expand on its work in treating and curing this devastating disease, the Animal Cancer Center needs your help to improve facilities and resources. A special campaign is underway this year called "Paws for a Cause". Please use the gift form below to send your donation today, and know that you are helping to improve the quality of life for pets - and people - everywhere.
If you have friends or relatives who may be interested in helping to support the important work being done at the Animal Cancer Center, please pass this information on and enlist their help as well.
For more information about the Animal Cancer Center and new laboratories and equipment needs, contact:
Dr. Stephen Withrow, Department of Clinical Sciences
A212 Veterinary Teaching Hospital
Fort Collins, Colorado 80523
Phone (970) 491-4175
or 1-877-4CSUVET (1-877-427-8838), toll free
Paul Maffey, Director of Development
College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
W102 Anatomy
Fort Collins, Colorado 80523
Phone (970) 491-3932
FAX (970) 491-2250
E-mail: pmaffey@cvmbs.colostate.edu
The Story of Murphy ~ When cancer strikes . . .
Reprinted with Permission from the website of The Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University