Cancer is the leading cause of death in 45–47% of dogs over the age of 10 years old. About one third of these incidents are related to subcutaneous or dermal neoplasia. Cancer diagnosis at an earlier stage is key in treatment planning. Furthermore, the ability to easily diagnose early-stage neoplasia in general practices should improve patient welfare and prognosis dramatically.

Skin and subcutaneous masses very widely in size, location, and severity. The key differential diagnoses for these masses include cysts, abscess, scar tissues and cancer, which can either be benign or malignant.

The current guidelines for cancer diagnosis emphasise the need for a diagnostic plan rather than choose the ‘wait and see’ approach. Currently, the two key invasive diagnostic methods available for clinicians are Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) and biopsy. In this lecture we will also introduce a new non-invasive innovate decision making modality, using Heat Diffusion Imaging (HDI) and an AI-based analysis, which empowers vets and nurse to rule out cancer on-the-spot in their own practice.