Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Palliative radiation with 4Gy x5 fractions helps dogs and cats
By McDonald, Catie et al.·Published in Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association·2012·VCA Aurora Animal Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Response rate and duration associated with a 4Gy 5 fraction palliative radiation protocol.
Plain-English summary
A group of 58 dogs and 22 cats with various tumors received a palliative radiation treatment consisting of five sessions of 4Gy each over consecutive days. The treatment showed a good response rate, with about 67% of pets experiencing some improvement. Dogs with soft tissue sarcomas had the best results, with an 80% response rate and a median survival time of nearly 8 months. Most side effects were mild, like temporary hair loss, making this radiation protocol a safe and effective option for pets with tumors.
People also search for: dog cancer treatment options · cat oral squamous cell carcinoma prognosis · palliative radiation for pets
Abstract
The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine if 4Gy fractions over 5 consecutive days is an effective and safe palliative radiation protocol for dogs and cats. Eighty patients (22 cats, 58 dogs) with complete follow-up information were evaluated. Overall response rate (ORR) for all patients was 67%. Median progression free survival (MPFS) was 3.3 months and median survival (MST) was 4.2 months. Primary bone tumors were the most common tumors treated. The ORR for primary bone tumors was 66.6%, the MPFS was 3.5 months, and MST was 3 months. The most common tumor treated in cats was oral squamous cell carcinoma and ORR was 54.5 %, the MPFS was 1.8 months, and MST was 3 months. Soft tissue sarcomas were the second most common tumor treated in dogs (10). ORR was 80% and the two other patients had stable disease. MPFS was 5.7 months and MST was 7.9 months. Overall rate of toxicity was 18.4% in 65 sites that were evaluated for toxicity. Acute toxicities were all grade I or II and occurred in 16.9 % of patients evaluated. All late toxicity was grade I alopecia and leukotrichia. There appears to be a comparable response rate for this palliative protocol as compared to others historically. This response was seen over a wide range of tumors. We also documented a low toxicity profile in a shorter overall treatment time, making this protocol more attractive for some clients.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22182209/