Early Cancer Screening in Companion Animals: Combining Traditional Diagnostics with Emerging Methods
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52331/v31i3q253Keywords:
Early cancer screeningAbstract
Early tumor screening refers to the use of a combination of traditional and emerging diagnostic techniques to detect malignant lesions in companion animals (dogs and cats) before obvious clinical symptoms appear or during the preclinical stage of the disease, with the aim of enabling timely intervention and improving prognosis. Early-stage tumors in dogs and cats often lack specific clinical manifestations; in some cases, they present only as palpable subcutaneous masses or nonspecific weight loss, leading to delayed diagnosis. Although understanding of tumor molecular biomarkers and pathogenesis has deepened in recent years, histopathological examination remains the gold standard for tumor diagnosis; however, its invasive nature limits its application in large-scale screening. Emerging non-invasive or minimally invasive diagnostic methods, such as liquid biopsy (detection of circulating tumor DNA, circulating tumor cells, and exosomes), serum tumor marker analysis, and exhaled breath volatile organic compound testing, are complementing traditional strategies and opening new possibilities for the early and precise identification of tumors. In long-term management, radical surgical resection of limited-stage tumors detected at an early stage remains the cornerstone of treatment; however, emerging interventions such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint blockade therapies have opened new avenues for improving clinical outcomes, and the success of these therapies is highly dependent on early diagnosis achieved through screening. This review summarizes the current understanding of early tumor screening in companion animals, focusing on strategies that combine traditional diagnostics with emerging technologies, and highlights the translational potential of these innovative approaches in enhancing diagnostic efficacy and optimizing management pathways.
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