Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Using PET/CT and radiation to find and treat dog bone cancer spread
By Selmic, Laura Elizabeth et al.·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·2017·Department of Clinical Sciences (L.E.S., United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Use of PET/CT and Stereotactic Radiation Therapy for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Osteosarcoma Metastases.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 7-year-old dog with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) was initially treated with amputation and chemotherapy. After six months, the dog developed lung nodules, and a medication called toceranib phosphate was started. Later, the dog experienced neck pain and trouble walking, leading to the discovery of cancer spreading to the spine and pelvis. Stereotactic radiation therapy was used to treat these areas, and the dog showed improvement in its neurological symptoms. Regular PET/CT scans helped track the cancer's spread and guide treatment decisions.
People also search for: dog osteosarcoma treatment · dog neck pain after cancer · stereotactic radiation therapy for dogs · dog lung cancer treatment · dog walking problems after cancer
Abstract
This case report describes the use of two new concepts in the diagnosis and treatment of metastatic osteosarcoma (OSA) in one dog. The dog was initially presented for positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) as full-body staging following amputation and adjuvant chemotherapy for treatment of OSA of the proximal tibia. The initial PET/CT did not show evidence of metastatic disease. Six mo after OSA, diagnosis pulmonary metastatic nodules were identified and oral toceranib phosphate was initiated. Twelve mo postdiagnosis the dog developed neck pain and non-ambulatory tetraparesis and was diagnosed with a C7 vertebral metastatic lesion based on magnetic resonance imaging. A second PET/CT was performed to screen for further metastatic lesions, and a nodule within the right ischium was identified. The C7 and ischial lesions were treated with stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT). Sixteen mo postdiagnosis, a third PET/CT was performed due to increasing size of the pulmonary nodules and a right-sided liver metastasis was detected. The liver mass was treated with SRT. The PET/CT scans facilitated identification of gross metastatic lesions that were subsequently treated with SRT, which resulted in clinical improvement of the dog's neurological signs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27841678/