In this episode of Tripawd Talk Radio Episode #133, we talk about this groundbreaking research with Dr. Maureen Griffin, a surgical oncologist leading the way with innovative treatments at Colorado State University’s Flint Animal Cancer Center.
When a pet is diagnosed with cancer, one of the biggest questions pet parents face is not just what the cancer is, but where it may be headed next.
Dr. Griffin explains how minimally invasive techniques can reduce pain, shorten recovery time, and sometimes allow diagnostics and treatment to happen during the same procedure. The conversation also dives into sentinel lymph node mapping, a technique used to identify the lymph node most likely to be the first site of cancer spread, even when imaging looks normal.
This episode is especially relevant for pet parents navigating cancers like mast cell tumors, anal sac tumors, and other cancers where lymphatic spread plays a major role in treatment decisions.
Key Takeaways:
- What minimally invasive cancer surgery looks like in veterinary medicine today
- Why CT scans alone may miss early lymph node metastasis
- How sentinel lymph node mapping can influence treatment planning
- What questions pet parents can ask their veterinary or oncology team
Tripawd Talk #133: Smarter Cancer Staging for Pets
Subscribe to Tripawd Talk Radio in your podcast player app!
About Dr. Maureen Griffin, DVM
Diplomate ACVS-SA
ACVS Fellow, Surgical Oncology
ACVS Fellow Candidate, Minimally Invasive Surgery (Small Animal Soft Tissue)
Assistant Professor, Surgical Oncology
Colorado State University Flint Animal Cancer Center
Dr. Maureen Griffin is a board-certified veterinary surgical oncologist and Assistant Professor of Surgical Oncology at the Flint Animal Cancer Center.
She completed advanced training in small animal surgery, a surgical oncology fellowship, and specialized fellowships in both surgical oncology and minimally invasive surgery.
Dr. Griffin’s clinical and research work focuses on minimally invasive and interventional techniques for cancer treatment, including sentinel lymph node mapping and advanced imaging approaches to improve cancer staging and outcomes.
She works closely with multidisciplinary oncology teams to help pets receive precise, patient-centered cancer care while advancing the field of veterinary oncology through research and education.
Resources
CSU Flint Animal Cancer Care Center
The role of minimally invasive surgery in oncology – part 1: laparoscopy
Minimally invasive iliosacral sentinel lymph node mapping and extirpation: A canine cadaveric study
Cutting Edge Care: The Evolution of Minimally Invasive Veterinary Surgery
Get complete episode notes and full transcript at tripawds.com/radio