Summer 2006 - University of Minnesota College of Veterinary ...

ONCOLOGY ONCOLOGY ONCOLOGY ONCOLOGY ONCOLOGYRadiation therapy saves Mai’LeeThe Veterinary Medical Centerhas been using radiation therapyas a treatment for more than30 years. It is now a key way to treatcancer in animals. When Mai’Lee, a13-year-old Shih Tzu, was diagnosedwith a spindle cell sarcoma on her hindleg, her owners didn’t think twice aboutbringing her to the Veterinary MedicalCenter for treatment.“We visited our local veterinarian inRochester, Minn. in 2002 and thepathologist recommended amputationfor Mai’Lee’s leg, but we did not acceptthat because of quality-of-life issues,”says Mai’Lee’s owner Bill Damerel.“Our local vet, Dr. Bob Waterman, suggestedwe take Mai’Lee to theOncology Services at the VeterinaryMedical Center to set up an appointmentto have her checked out.”Anative of Barbados,Dr. Catherine St.Hill has lived inMinnesota for nine years.She completed her postdoctoralwork at the Universityof Minnesota and recentlyjoined Oncology Services asan assistant professor andresearcher. She also promotesinteraction and collaborationwith other collegesat the University andMai’LeeThe Veterinary Medical Center specialistsconfirmed the diagnosis and developeda treatment plan. Over a threeweekperiod, Mai’Lee received 18 radiationtreatments at the Veterinary MedicalCenter. She was treated primarily by Dr.Elizabeth McNeil, assistant professor inthe Veterinary Clinical Sciences department,but she was cared for by most ofthe Oncology Services staff over thecourse of her treatment. It has been fouryears since Mai’Lee underwent radiationtherapy and there has not been anyrecurrence of the cancer.Meet Catherine St. HillCatherine St. Hillserves as a resource toVeterinary MedicalCenter clinicians.“Mai’Lee is doing great – she respondedwell to the treatment and is now happierthan ever,” says Bill. “We are at a lossfor words when trying to describe ourthanks for the Veterinary MedicalCenter, especially the Oncology department.”Mai’Lee’s story is representative ofmany of the clients cared for inOncology Services. As this service areagrows, so does the need for new equipment.“The current radiation therapy equipmenthas been in place since the 1960s,”says Dr. Elizabeth McNeil. “Since thenthere have been great advances in themachines. New equipment will helpOncology Services grow and give us theability to control cancer better.”For more information about oncologyservices, go to www.cvm.umn.edu/vmc.■ MARIAH CARROLL“We are excited to haveDr. St. Hill joinOncology Services,” saysDr. Robert Washabau,chair of the VeterinaryClinical Sciences department.“She brings yearsof research experienceand adds a global perspectiveon veterinary medicine to theCollege.”The University of Minnesota AnimalCancer Center research program continuesto perform relevant cutting-edgeresearch that improves the quality of lifeof animals and to make discoveries thatimprove the lives of pets and humans. Asearch is currently underway for afaculty member to fill the Al and JunePerlman Endowed Chair inComparative Oncology.11