Radiation Oncology: An Overview for the Veterinary Team

摘要

Radiation therapy (RT) has become increasingly popular and available in veterinary medicine over the past twenty years for the treatment of cancer in small animals. One study reports a 57% increase in veterinary RT facilities in the United States from2001 to 2010. The number of veterinary radiation oncologists and residency programs are also growing. Though radiation oncologists use different protocols and methods, the general principles of physics and radiobiology have not changed significantly. RTis effective for inoperable bulky tumors or microscopic disease after an incomplete surgery. Depending on the tumor type and treatment goals, surgery and chemotherapy can be used in conjunction with RT. Accurate patient set up and delivery of radiationare critically important because it affects both the likelihood of tumor control and the degree of side effects.