Oncology

We are excited to announce that residency-trained oncologist, Dr. Kathleen Tsimbas, will be joining the AVC team on March 14th. 

Now accepting appointment requests! 

Oncology at AVC 

Discussing cancer in our pets can be very difficult. Our oncologist, Dr. Kathleen Tsimbas, strives to provide consultation in a compassionate and professional manner to help owners thoroughly understand the various treatment options, side effects, and prognosis.   

What to Expect at your Initial Consultation 

The initial consultation is a one-hour down consultation with Dr. Tsimbas. If your pet already has a diagnosis, she will discuss whether any staging tests are necessary to look for the spread of cancer. These may include x-rays, ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI. If your pet does not have a diagnosis, then she will discuss what tests need to be performed to confirm a diagnosis (cytology, biopsy, etc.). The oncology team does their best to perform diagnostics on the same day of consultation, pending availability. Following discussion of any recommended diagnostic tests, Dr. Tsimbas will discuss various treatment options. Maintaining a good quality of life is always the most important goal for treating pets with cancer. Treatment options range from conservative palliative care to systemic therapies (chemotherapy, immunotherapy) to aggressive local options (surgery and/or radiation therapy). Our goal is that each client fully understands the advantages and disadvantages of each of the treatment options by the end of the consultation. 

Diagnostic tests available at AVC:

• Cytology 
• Histopathology (biopsy) 
• Radiographs 
• Ultrasonography including echocardiograms 
• CT scan 
• MRI 
• Fluoroscopy
• Endoscopy

Therapeutic options available at AVC:

• Chemotherapy (high dose and metronomic)
• Targeted therapies, such as Palladia
• Immunotherapy
• Bisphosphonate therapy
• Pain management
• Supportive medications
• Radioactive iodine therapy
• Surgery
• Coordinating radiation therapy treatment
• Coordinating clinical trial enrollment

Common cancer types treated at AVC

• Lymphoma/leukemia
• Osteosarcoma
• Hemangiosarcoma
• Soft tissue sarcomas
• Mast cell tumors
• Melanoma
• Transitional cell carcinoma
• Squamous cell carcinomas
• Myeloma and plasma cell disorders

Ready to see our Oncology specialists? Fill out the form below to let us know more about you and your pet! If it's your second or further visit, please fill out the re-check questionnaire instead!

Oncology Questionnaire

Oncology Re-Check Questionnaire