Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Radiation treatment for nasal tumors in 81 dogs using quad-shot
By Cabral, Inês et al.·Published in Veterinary and comparative oncology·2025·Southfields Veterinary Specialists, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: A Retrospective Evaluation of a Cyclical, Hypofractionated Radiotherapy Protocol ('Quad-Shot') for the Treatment of Canine Nasal Tumours in 81 Dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
An 8-year-old mixed-breed dog was diagnosed with a nasal tumor and underwent a special type of radiation therapy called the 'quad-shot' protocol, which involved multiple treatment cycles over several weeks. After receiving three full cycles of treatment, about 90% of the dogs showed improvement in their nasal symptoms, and the average survival time was around 10 months. Most side effects were mild, such as eye irritation and mouth sores, but serious issues were rare. This treatment helped many dogs feel better and live longer, making it a promising option for managing nasal tumors in dogs.
People also search for: dog nasal tumor treatment · canine radiation therapy side effects · how long can a dog live with a nasal tumor
Abstract
This retrospective study evaluated a cyclical, hypofractionated palliative-intent radiotherapy protocol ('quad-shot', QS) in 81 dogs with sinonasal tumours treated between 2011 and 2023. The protocol consisted of a 'cycle' of four fractions of 3.25-4.0 Gy delivered over 48-72 h, repeated every 3-4 weeks, up to three cycles (maximum cumulative dose, 48 Gy). Most were treated with 3D conformal radiation therapy and a small number with a clinical setup. Carcinomas accounted for 78% of cases and tumours were modified Adams stage 1 (n = 5; 6%), 2 (n = 8; 10%), 3 (n = 29; 36%), 4 (n = 33; 41%) or unknown in n = 6 (7%). Ninety percent of patients received three full cycles to a total of 39-48 Gy, and 77% showed clinical improvement at presentation for Cycle 2 and 90% at presentation for Cycle 3. Median progression-free interval (PFI) was 207 days (95% CI: 124-290), and median overall survival time (OST) was 296 days (95% CI: 177-415). One-, two-, and 3-year survival rates were 40.6%, 17.2%, and 9.4%, respectively. Acute toxicity was generally mild, with conjunctivitis (33%), mucositis (7%), and radiodermatitis (6%) being the most frequent. Severe late toxicity was infrequent, but toxicities were considered likely under-reported. In the multivariable analysis, three QS cycles (vs. 1 or 2 cycles only) was a positive prognostic factor. The QS protocol resulted in improvements in nasal clinical signs, with survival outcomes comparable to other palliative radiation protocols. Toxicity was acceptable, despite the poor conformality of the radiation therapy in this population.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40851414/