Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Spinal spread of brain tumors in dogs after combined radiotherapy
By Gaetano Urso et al.·Published in Veterinary Sciences·2022·Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale di Lodi, 26900 Lodi, Italy, CH·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Cranial Spinal Spreading of Canine Brain Gliomas after Hypofractionated Volumetric-Modulated Arc Radiotherapy and Concomitant Temozolomide Chemotherapy: A Four-Case Report
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of four dogs with high-grade brain tumors (gliomas) were treated with a combination of chemotherapy (temozolomide) and a specific type of radiation therapy. Initially, the dogs showed some improvement, but unfortunately, their tumors later spread to the spinal cord. After they passed away, examinations revealed that the tumors had infiltrated the spinal cord and surrounding tissues. This case highlights the need for thorough checks of the entire nervous system in dogs with gliomas and suggests that additional treatments might be needed to prevent the spread of these tumors.
People also search for: dog brain tumor treatment · glioma in dogs · temozolomide for dogs · dog spinal cord tumor symptoms
Abstract
Gliomas are the second-most-common primary brain tumors in dogs. Surgery and radiotherapy are established treatment approaches with similar median survival time, whereas conventional chemotherapy is burdened by severe adverse effects. Spinal and leptomeningeal spread of gliomas have been described following radiotherapy treatment alone. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome for four dogs with primary high-grade gliomas in the forebrain without evidence, at diagnosis, of neoplastic invasion along the spinal cord, that were treated with concomitant chemotherapy (temozolomide) and hypofractionated volumetric-modulated arc radiotherapy (VMAT-RT). Temozolomide was selected for its radiosensitive properties, and radiotherapy dose protocols of 37 Gy in 7 fractions or 42 Gy in 10 fractions were used. After an initial complete or partial response, tumors recurred across the cranial–spinal pathway. Post-mortem macroscopic examinations confirmed swollen spinal cord and hyperemic meningeal sleeve, with nodular lesions on the meningeal surface. Microscopically, infiltration of the spinal cord and meninges by neoplastic cells (with features of oligodendrogliomas) were observed. This work seems to suggest that the entire central nervous system should be investigated in diagnostic examinations of canine gliomas. Dose-escalation trials and/or spinal cord prophylaxis treatment could also be evaluated to prevent tumor progression.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9100541