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. |
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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.
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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
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