Radiotherapy of oral malignant melanomas in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate response to radiotherapy in dogs with oral malignant melanomas.


METHODS
Clinical trial.


METHODS
36 dogs with histologically confirmed oral malignant melanomas.


METHODS
The prescribed radiation dose was 36 Gy given in 4 fractions of 9 Gy at 7-day intervals. The primary radiation source was a linear accelerator.


RESULTS
In 25 of 36 dogs, complete remission was achieved, and in 9 dogs, partial remission was achieved. Recurrence of the primary tumor was the cause of euthanasia of 4 dogs. Twenty-one dogs were euthanatized because of metastasis.


CONCLUSIONS
Radiotherapy was an effective palliative treatment for the primary tumor in dogs with oral malignant melanomas. However, rapid development of metastatic disease remained a major challenge.
Blackwood
L
L
Queen's Veterinary School Hospital, University of Cambridge, England.
Dobson
J M
JM
D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000662:veterinary; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary / Q000662:veterinary*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000662:veterinary; D010166:Palliative Care; D012074:Remission Induction; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome