A Survey of Veterinary Radiation Facilities in 2010

Abstract

A survey of veterinary radiation therapy facilities in the United States, Canada, and Europe was done in 2010, using an online survey tool, to determine the type of equipment available, radiation protocols used, caseload, tumor types irradiated, as well as other details of the practice of veterinary radiation oncology. The results of this survey were compared to a similar survey performed in 2001. A total of 76 facilities were identified including 24 (32%) academic institutions and 52 (68%) private practice external beam radiation therapy facilities. The overall response rate was 51% (39/76 responded). Based on this survey, there is substantial variation among facilities in all aspects ranging from equipment and personnel to radiation protocols and caseloads. American College of Veterinary Radiology boarded radiation oncologists direct 90% of the radiation facilities, which was increased slightly compared to 2001. All facilities surveyed in 2010 had a linear accelerator. More facilities reported having electron capability (79%) compared to the 2001 survey. Eight facilities had a radiation oncology resident, and academic facilities were more likely to have residents. Patient caseload information was available from 28 sites (37% of radiation facilities), and based on the responses 1376 dogs and 352 cats were irradiated in 2010. The most frequently irradiated tumors were soft tissue sarcomas in dogs, and oral squamous cell carcinoma in cats.

Treatment of MRI‐Diagnosed Trigeminal Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors by Stereotactic Radiotherapy in Dogs

“…Each event poses a small risk for the animals, and the requirement for fasting each evening before anesthesia might affect nutritional intake. Another problem with conventional radiotherapy is logistical: pet owners might not live near one of the veterinary external beam radiation facilities in the United States, Canada, and Europe . Therefore, a recommendation for definitive radiation might prevent some pet owners from pursuing treatment simply because of logistics.…”

Onchological Review to Pet Medicine

“…The most frequently irradiated tumors were soft tissue sarcomas in dogs, and oral squamous cell carcinoma in cats [15]. Nasal carcinomas, tend to metastasize slowly, are commonly treated with radiation therapy.…”

Invited Review—image Registration in Veterinary Radiation Oncology: Indications, Implications, and Future Advances

“…Responses for tumors of the head and neck (intracranial, sinonasal, cervical) are often assessed by the radiology and radiation oncology team on serial CT scans, without consideration for image registration over time, which may not accurately reflect the response of the tumor or the assessment of treatment‐induced toxicity . Toxicities are often inferred by tissue changes, however easier implementation of image registration in the clinic may provide more objective information regarding tumor and normal tissue changes following radiation, particularly as varying fractionated protocols are used across veterinary radiation oncologists …”

“…27 Toxicities are often inferred by tissue changes, however easier implementation of image registra-tion in the clinic may provide more objective information regarding tumor and normal tissue changes following radiation, particularly as varying fractionated protocols are used across veterinary radiation oncologists. 52,53,59,60 With the incorporation of functional imaging into veterinary oncology, determination of structural and, indirectly, pathological changes may be better assessed. Changes such as fibrosis and tumor recurrence can be difficult to distinguish on CT and MR; functional imaging with PET may help clarify differences and alter future therapy.…”