Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Reirradiation treatment for tumors in cats and dogs
By Turrel, J M & Théon, A P·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1988·Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Reirradiation of tumors in cats and dogs.
Plain-English summary
A group of 51 cats and dogs with tumors that returned after radiation treatment received a second round of radiotherapy. About 86% of the pets showed some improvement within two months, especially if the second treatment was given more than five months after the first. The overall survival rate was 47% at two years, with pets having skin tumors living longer than those with oral tumors. While most pets tolerated the treatment well, 12% experienced serious side effects, particularly those with larger tumors or specific types like squamous cell carcinoma.
People also search for: cat tumor treatment · dog cancer reirradiation · skin tumor survival in dogs · side effects of dog radiation therapy
Abstract
Fifty-one cats and dogs with tumor recurrence after irradiation were treated with a second course of radiotherapy, using either teletherapy or brachytherapy. Eighty-six percent of the tumors had partial or complete response at 2 months after reirradiation. Tumor response was significantly (P = 0.041) affected when the interval between the 2 courses of irradiation was greater than 5 months. The estimated local tumor control rate was 38% at 1 year after reirradiation. Of all the factors examined, complete response at 2 months, reirradiation field size less than or equal to 10 cm2, and reirradiation dose greater than 40 gray emerged as predictors of local tumor control. The estimated overall survival rate was 47% at 2 years. Tumor location had a significant (P = 0.001) influence on overall survival; animals with cutaneous tumors had the longest survival times, and those with oral tumors had the shortest survival times. The other significant (P = 0.001) factor affecting overall survival time was the field size of the reirradiated site. Estimated survival time after reirradiation was 41% at 1 year. Favorable prognostic indicators were complete response at 2 months and location of tumor; animals with skin tumors had a favorable prognosis. The acute effects of reirradiation on normal tissues were acceptable, but 12% of the animals had severe delayed complications. Significant risk of complications after reirradiation was associated with squamous cell carcinoma (P = 0.015) and reirradiated field size greater than 30 cm2 (P = 0.056). When the interval between irradiations was greater than 5 months, the risk of complications was significantly (P = 0.022) lower.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3139592/