Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy in veterinary medicine is a treatment modality used to treat certain forms of cancer in animals. It involves the use of ionizing radiation to destroy cancer cells and thus reduce tumor size, while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

Radiotherapy can be used to treat solid tumors, particularly those not easily accessible by surgery. It can also be used prior to surgery to reduce the size of a tumor, making its removal more feasible.

Here's how radiotherapy generally works in veterinary medicine:

1. Assessment and diagnosis: First, the veterinarian performs a thorough evaluation of the patient to determine the type of cancer, its stage and location. Diagnostic tests such as blood tests, imaging studies (X-rays, ultrasound, CT scan, MRI) and biopsies may be required to establish a precise diagnosis.
2. Treatment planning: Based on the diagnosis, a team of veterinary oncology specialists draws up a treatment plan tailored to each patient. This usually involves precise planning of the areas to be targeted with radiotherapy, while sparing surrounding healthy tissue as much as possible. This planning requires the performance of a dosimetry scan.
3. Treatment administration : Treatment sessions are generally short and carried out on an outpatient basis. The procedure is painless. However, the animal must be anesthetized, as precise, repeatable positioning is essential for each session.
4. Monitoring and follow-up: During treatment, patients are regularly monitored to assess their response to radiotherapy and detect any potential side effects. Treatment adjustments may be necessary depending on patient response and radiation tolerance.
5. Side-effect management: Radiotherapy may cause side-effects such as fatigue, skin irritation, nausea and diarrhea, depending on the site irradiated. Side effects are usually mild and transient. The veterinarian may prescribe medication or recommend supportive measures to alleviate these side effects and improve the animal's comfort.

Radiotherapy in veterinary medicine can be used alone or in combination with other therapeutic modalities such as surgery and chemotherapy, depending on the specific needs of each clinical case. Its main aim is to prolong the animal's life and quality of life by controlling tumor growth and reducing the symptoms associated with cancer

For further information, please send an e-mail to  radiotherapie.cvu@gmail.com .