Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Radiation treatment shrinks large pituitary tumors in dogs
By de Fornel, Pauline et al.·Published in The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne·2007·Unité, France·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Effects of radiotherapy on pituitary corticotroph macrotumors in dogs: a retrospective study of 12 cases.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Twelve dogs with large pituitary tumors causing Cushing's disease (pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism) were treated with low doses of radiation therapy. Over a 4- to 6-week period, the dogs received a total of 36 Gy of radiation, which resulted in a significant reduction in tumor size for 11 of them, with six showing more than a 50% decrease. Some dogs needed additional radiation due to tumor regrowth. On average, the dogs lived for about 22.6 months after starting treatment, indicating that radiation therapy can be an effective option for managing these tumors in dogs.
People also search for: dog pituitary tumor treatment · Cushing's disease in dogs · radiation therapy for dog tumors
Abstract
The efficacy of low doses of radiotherapy for the treatment of pituitary corticotroph macrotumors in dogs is evaluated retrospectively. Twelve dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism and a large pituitary tumor treated with 36 Gy of radiation were included. Radiation was delivered in 12 fractions of 3 Gy over a 4- to 6-week period. Effects of radiation therapy on tumor size were assessed by computed tomography scans; a decrease was observed in 11 dogs (decrease > 50% in 6 dogs). Three dogs were reirradiated due to major tumor regrowth or a lack of tumor decrease (mean total dose: 22 Gy given in 3-Gy fractions over 3 or 4 weeks). The mean and median survival times following the initiation of radiotherapy were 22.6 months (688 days) and 17.7 months (539 days), respectively. These data are consistent with previous findings, based on high-dose radiation, showing that radiotherapy is a useful option for treating pituitary corticotroph macrotumors in dogs. Furthermore, computed tomography follow-up of the treated dogs demonstrates objectively the efficacy of radiotherapy against corticotroph tumors in dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17542365/