Radiation treatment outcomes for dogs with primary liver tumors

Abstract

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is an increasingly used alternative treatment option for nonresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in people. Comparatively, the publication of SBRT of dogs with HCC is limited. The objective of this retrospective, descriptive case series was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and toxicity data of SBRT in dogs with HCC and imaging-documented primary liver tumors using volumetric-modulated arc therapy delivery at two private institutions. Medical records of 14 dogs treated between 2018 and 2023 were reviewed. All dogs had macroscopic tumors, and 9 of 14 dogs had HCC diagnoses confirmed on cytology or histopathology. The median longest tumor diameter was 5.5 cm. The median percentage of planning target volume relative to liver volume was 27.1%. Most dogs were treated with three daily fractions of 7-7.5 Gy. All dogs completed their radiotherapy protocols. Three of nine HCC dogs experienced partial responses and clinical improvement. Five of nine HCC dogs had stable disease. Overall median survival time was 164 days for nine HCC dogs (range: 93-706 days). One late grade 5 liver and two late grade 3 kidney side effects were reported. One dog received repeated SBRT to the same HCC treatment field, and one dog had two courses of SBRT to bifocal HCC treatment fields, both with no more than grade 2 acute and chronic toxicities.