Radiation Therapy for furry,
four-legged patients
Alexandra Atkins
Radiation Therapist
Palmerston North Radiation Therapy Department
Introduction
Massey University
Veterinary Teaching
Hospital (MUVTH)
Palmerston North
Regional Cancer
Treatment Service
• First patient treated in July 2013
• Six dogs treated to date
• Big industry internationally
• Radiation is important for animal cancer
control
• Lots of research available
What we are doing…
• Palliative cases
• CT planning /mark
up
• 3D planning
• Megavoltage
treatment
• SXR treatment
Pre Treatment
• Masks
• Vacbags
• Mouthbites
• Tattooing
• Markup
Pre Treatment
• Masks- recycled clarity masks
• Vacbags
• Mouthbites
• Tattooing
• Markup
Pre treatment
• Masks- recycled clarity masks
• Vacbags
• Mouthbites
• Tattooing
• Markup
Pre Treatment
• Masks
• Vacbags
• Mouthbites
• Tattooing
• Markup
Marking/tattooing
Pre Treatment
• Masks
• Vacbags
• Mouthbites
• Tattooing
• Markup
Planning
• 3D planning
• Physical wedges and shielding
• Dose tolerances/tissue constraints
Treatment
• Quick procedure
• Two days a week
• Port film imaging
• Volunteer out of hours service
Patients responses to date..
• Minimal side effects
• Enthusiastic responses to tumour
progression
• Return of function
• Long term survival not assessed
Staff training
• Huge staff interest
• Exposure
• Changing techniques
• Frequency
Where to from here…
Thanks
• Jonathan Bray- Massey University
• Steve Crow- Massey Univesity
• Selena Hardman, Pauline McCheesney,
Lisa Te Paiho- Radiation Therapists
• Dr Nikolay Nedev- Radiation Oncologist