On this webpage you will find general information regarding radiotherapy, common cancers that may benefit from it, and answers to general questions. Please be aware that the information provided here is not intended to be comprehensive, but rather a general overview. The health of your pet is important to us. Therefore, for more specific information regarding your pet’s cancer and his/her individual needs, we encourage you to consult with your veterinarian or schedule a consultation with our hospital’s veterinary radiation oncologist. Whether you are ready to proceed with advanced oncologic therapy or seeking only to improve your pet’s quality of life, we encourage all owners to obtain the information needed to make the most informed decisions possible.
Just as in humans, a pet with cancer typically needs the help of an oncologist to help diagnose and treat their disease. Above all, a veterinary oncologist will help you understand your pet’s condition, what treatment options are available to them, and what the expected outcomes may be. They will help you determine the most appropriate course of treatment that meets the needs of you and your pet as well as facilitate their therapy. Veterinary oncologists also frequently serve as consultants to veterinarians in private practice to ensure that their patients receive the best treatment possible for their cancer. While in some cases, your veterinarian may be able to simply consult with a veterinary oncologist about your pet’s care, in other cases it is necessary to refer you and your pet to the veterinary oncologist for more advanced diagnostics and treatment. Board certified veterinary oncologists also have access to specialized diagnostic or treatment tools such as CT scanners and radiation therapy machines that a general practice veterinarian may not have.
Radiation therapy (aka radiotherapy) is a form of treatment recommended for many different types of cancer. Definitive radiotherapy can be used to directly kill tumor cells whereas palliative radiotherapy can be used for alleviation of symptoms that arise secondary to cancer. Radiotherapy is a local treatment option, where the treatment target is the area where the tumor or symptoms are arising from. Through using the most advanced therapies and equipment available, we can precisely target cancer cells while minimizing the effects on normal tissues. These techniques allow us to give treatments efficiently and effectively. This means less time under anesthesia for your pet and less trips to the clinic for you both. Radiotherapy may be used alone or may be recommended as part of a broader cancer treatment plan for your pet that may also include surgery, chemotherapy, and/or immunotherapy. Radiation therapy plays a crucial role in the treatment of over 50% of human cancer patients and comparably is a common part of cancer therapy for animals. We are extremely fortunate to be able to provide this high level of care for our patients.
Radiation therapy works by causing damage to the DNA of cancer cells. Since cancer cells are not as effective at repairing damage as healthy cells are, they are more vulnerable to this damage. This then leads to the death of the cancer cells. It can take several treatments before cancer cells begin to die, and they will continue to die for a few weeks after therapy ends. This is why side effects may develop halfway through treatment and may last for a few weeks following treatment.
Here at VCA Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center of Kalamazoo, we are proud to announce the installation of our new radiation therapy unit, a state-of-the-art Varian TrueBeam® Linear Accelerator, which is equipped with a 120 HD MLC (multi-leaf collimator) and a six-degrees-of-freedom treatment couch. The machine does not touch your pet but instead moves around their body to deliver radiation externally from the most effective angles. For example, if your pet has a nasal tumor, your pet will only receive radiation to their nose and sinuses and not the rest of their body. This advanced linear accelerator allows us to treat a wide range of cancers from simple scars to inoperable tumors deep within the body. It is common for pets to need a CT scan to devise a patient specific radiation treatment plan. Due to the high precision of radiation therapy, your pet will need to remain perfectly still during these treatments. Therefore, they will be placed under light anesthesia each day for their comfort and safety throughout the treatment course. In most cases, radiation treatment is performed as an outpatient procedure. Radiation therapy is administered in multiple treatments known as fractions. Each treatment is a “fraction” of the total dose prescribed for a particular patient. Fractionation reduces the severity of side effects to normal cells, enhances the killing effect on cancer cells, and allows a higher total dose to be given. Higher total dose will typically lead to more cancer killing but, unfortunately, can also increase risks for side effects to normal cells. Depending on the specific cancer type, its location, and outcome goals, your veterinary radiation oncologist will assist you in determining which total dose and fractionation protocol best meets the needs of you and your pet.
Your pet will have a treatment course tailored specifically for them and their tumor. Treatment courses can be as short as 2 treatments or as long as 20 treatments. This varies based on tumor type, tumor location, and treatment goals. Treatments are often given on a daily basis, but this is not always the case. Dr. Stanton will explain the treatment schedule developed for your pet and answer any questions you may have.
Radiation therapy itself is painless; however, there are side effects associated with each tumor type, radiation protocol, and treatment delivery schedule. Side effects may develop halfway through treatment and may last for a few weeks following treatment. While side effects are generally mild and self-limiting, our team will ensure you understand the potential side effects and how to best manage them. Our goal is to maintain or improve your pet’s current quality of life throughout the entire treatment course.
And more! Please contact us to determine if your patient may be a candidate for radiation therapy. We’re here to help you and your pet!
Available Monday to Thursday
vseck.radonc@vca.com
