This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Natural disasters. For many people, dogs offer a sense of safety and comfort in challenging or uncertain times.
Cancer researchers at a new lab at Purdue University are partnering with dogs to make cancer less frightening—and less deadly—to some of humanity's very best friends using a technique called tumor ablation. Shawna Klahn and Nikolaos Dervisis, both associate professors of comparative oncology at Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine's Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, have set up a lab at the Evan and Sue Ann Werling Comparative Oncology Research Center to study and pioneer protocols for tumor ablation, a less invasive way of treating cancer that can be more effective than surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. "Tumor ablation uses highly targeted energy to treat tumors with remarkable precision," Klahn said.
"We use advanced imaging such as CT to plan procedures and real-time ultrasound guidance during treatment to deliver focused ultrasound or pulsed electric field therapies directly to the tumor while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues." The benefits of tumor ablation include preserving as much healthy tissue as possible, which can decrease recovery time. Most tumor ablations are outpatient procedures thanks to the amazing accuracy a directed ultrasound machine provides. "Tumor ablation with some of the technologies to be used here is so accurate that you can potentially slice a cell in half," Dervisis said.
"It's like using a tiny scalpel to separate the healthy tissue from the tumor—but without having to break any skin." Tumor ablation is used in humans as well as dogs, though its availability varies widely by geographical location, medical facility and practitioner. And as with dogs, its effectiveness varies with the location and type of cancer and with the health of the patient. Compared to surgery, tumor ablation is less invasive.
It can have fewer side effects than radiation and chemotherapy. The oncology team uses advanced imaging to identify and plan for how to treat tumors. "Different cancers may respond better to different forms of energy delivery," Dervisis said.
"Some ablation techniques use heat, while others mechanically disrupt tissue without relying on temperature changes. One emerging focused ultrasound approach works by generating microscopic bubble activity within tissues, producing powerful mechanical forces that can selectively disrupt tumor tissue with remarkable precision." The targeted and strategic nature of the ablation, added to its noninvasive nature, is what helps make it so successful, especially in sensitive patients or sensitive areas of the body. Like cutting the bad parts out of an avocado, oncologists want to focus on eliminating only the tumor, leaving as much healthy tissue as possible.
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