A Joint Venture of the Veterinary Cancer Society and
American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP)

Putting Veterinary Cancer Care on the Right Path

The overall mission of the group is to foster and promote an integrated working relationship between veterinary oncologists (medical, surgical and radiation) and pathologists (anatomic and clinical) to facilitate and ensure the highest standard of pathology support and reporting for the advancement of veterinary clinical oncology and cancer research. Through this interdisciplinary effort, the group will, amongst other efforts, work to establish consensus documents designed to standardize aspects of and provide guidelines for oncologic pathology.  The group will additionally seek sponsorship and support for said documents from other groups/organizations with similar interests including but not limited to the: American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Oncology), Veterinary Cooperative Oncology Group, Veterinary Radiation Therapy Oncology Group, and Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology. Specific objectives of the group include:

• To facilitate and promote a working relationship and communication between veterinary oncologists (surgical, medical, and radiation) and pathologists (anatomic & clinical)
• To establish consensus and promote species-specific tumor grading systems based upon published peer-reviewed scientifically-supported evidence
• To establish consensus and promote species-specific tumor prognostic parameters based upon published peer-reviewed scientifically-supported evidence
• To establish consensus and promote tumor and species-specific predictive parameters based upon published peer-reviewed scientifically-supported evidence
• To identify deficient or inadequate areas in oncology/pathology in need of further investigation.
• To provide recommendations/guidelines on research-related (retrospective & prospective studies) pathological evaluation and design to strengthen published scientific data
• To facilitate investigative collaborations between oncologists and pathologists
• To promote education and outreach to general practitioners and trainees
• To promote increased interdisciplinary training during residency
• To promote education & training in oncologic pathology and, ultimately, to put forth criteria and goals for a one-year fellowship for advanced specialized training in oncologic pathology.
• To function as a resource to disseminate and provide accessible information on but not limited to:
  •    Tumor biopsy techniques
  •    Tumor biopsy sample submission
  •    Tissue trimming methods for surgical margin evaluation
  •    Recommended tumor biopsy reporting parameters
  •    Post-report options available to clinicians
  •    Use and interpretation of histochemical and immunohistochemical stains.
  •    Consensus on species-specific tumor grading schemes
  •    Consensus on species-specific tumor prognostic parameters
  •    Consensus on species-specific tumor predictive parameters
  •    Specific areas in need of further investigation

BECOME A MEMBER

If you are interested in working with and becoming a member of the OPWG, please complete the OPWG Membership Application Form and submit to opwg.vcs@gmail.com.  Active membership in VCS, ACVP or other international equivalent (e.g. ESVONC, ECVP) is required for OPWG membership eligibility.  Active membership in AAVLD or ASVCP also meets OPWG membership eligibility for current residents.