Our History

The Colorado State University Animal Cancer Center as it is known today opened its doors in 2002.  However, the roots for this organization were planted collectively by Dr. Stephen Withrow, a surgeon, and Dr. Ed Gillette, a radiation biologist in the late 70’s and early 80’s.  This was at a time when veterinarians recognized that animals got cancer but because no advanced diagnostics or treatments were available, these clinicians were left to make a note and observe the outcome.  The outcome was almost universally fatal.  Drs. Withrow and Gillette had the idea that cancer could be treated in animals, much like it was in humans.  To take it a step further they hypothesized that naturally occurring cancers, particularly in dogs, were similar to many cancers in people, making dogs a relevant model in which to study cancer for both species.  For that reason they dreamed of establishing a cancer research program that studied cancer in both animals and people.

Fast forward 30 years……..  The CSU Animal Cancer Center is now internationally recognized as the leader in clinical veterinary oncology and cancer research – that benefits animals and humans alike. 

The faculty members have fully developed research programs in many areas of cancer research including molecular oncology, tumor immunology, pharmacology, experimental therapeutics, musculoskeletal oncology, clinical trials, imaging and radiation oncology.  The research subjects are client owned and loved animals with naturally occurring cancers, a fantastic model to learn about “cancer in the real world.”  To advance our knowledge of cancer, clients have the option to enroll their pets in clinical trials aimed to lead to new treatments and to archive tumor tissue for future research after biopsy or surgery.  These tumor samples are critical to advance knowledge of how cancer behaves on a molecular level and to help develop new targets and treatments.   

In addition to a robust research program, the clinical program is one of the best available for diagnostics and treatment of cancer in pet animals.  The ACC has a fully staffed clinical oncology team that includes medical, radiation and surgical oncologists, medical and radiation oncology residents, a surgical oncology fellow, dedicated oncology nurses, a clinical trials team, emotional support counselors, technicians and veterinary students.  This team provides cutting edge diagnostics, treatment and emotional support through the management of your pet’s cancer.

The facility houses the latest in diagnostic imaging equipment including MRI, CT, and nuclear medicine in addition to laboratory diagnostics and pathology.  An animal dedicated PET-CT, a special type of CT that images the function of tumors, will be installed at the center in the summer of 2009 and available to patients.  This will be the first for a veterinary institution in the world.