Radiotherapy of pituitary tumours in five cats.
Five cats tentatively diagnosed with pituitary adenoma (four cases) or pituitary carcinoma (one case), based on computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging, were treated with radiotherapy. Electrons were applied in four cats and electrons and photons in the fifth. Ten to 12 fractions of 3.5 to 4.0 Gy each were delivered on a Monday/Wednesday/Friday schedule. The mean total dose applied was 39 Gy. No severe acute side effects to treatment were seen. Follow-up CT examination was performed in four cats; the mass had disappeared in one cat and remained stable or slightly decreased in size in the other three. The survival times were 5.5, 8.0, 15.0, 18.0 and 20.5 months, with two cats dying of causes unrelated to the tumour. Based on these cases, radiotherapy appears to be a valuable treatment option for feline pituitary tumours.
Section of Diagnostic Imaging and Radio-Oncology, Veterinary Surgical Clinic, Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Zürich, Switzerland.
B
B
Kaser-Hotz
C R
CR
Rohrer
S
S
Stankeova
M
M
Wergin
J
J
Fidel
C
C
Reusch
D000236:Adenoma / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D002415:Cats; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D013534:Survival; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome