Outcome of accelerated radiotherapy alone or accelerated radiotherapy followed by exenteration of the nasal cavity in dogs with intranasal neoplasia: 53 cases (1990-2002).
OBJECTIVE
To compare long-term results of radiotherapy alone versus radiotherapy followed by exenteration of the nasal cavity in dogs with malignant intranasal neoplasia.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
53 dogs with malignant intranasal neoplasia.


METHODS
All dogs underwent radiotherapy consisting of administration of 10 fractions of 4.2 Gy each on consecutive weekdays. For dogs in the surgery group (n=13), follow-up computed tomography was performed, and dogs were scheduled for surgery if persistent or recurrent tumor was seen.


RESULTS
Perioperative complications for dogs that underwent surgery included hemorrhage requiring transfusion (2 dogs) and subcutaneous emphysema (8). Rhinitis and osteomyelitis-osteonecrosis occurred significantly more frequently in dogs in the radiotherapy and surgery group (9 and 4 dogs, respectively) than in dogs in the radiotherapy-only group (4 and 3 dogs, respectively). Two- and 3-year survival rates were 44% and 24%, respectively, for dogs in the radiotherapy group and 69% and 58%, respectively, for dogs in the surgery group. Overall median survival time for dogs in the radiotherapy and surgery group (477 months) was significantly longer than time for dogs in the radiotherapy-only group (19.7 months).


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that exenteration of the nasal cavity significantly prolongs survival time in dogs with intranasal neoplasia that have undergone radiotherapy. Exenteration after radiotherapy may increase the risk of chronic complications.
Adams
William M
WM
Department of Surgical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
Bjorling
Dale E
DE
McAnulty
Jonathan E
JE
Green
Eric M
EM
Forrest
Lisa J
LJ
Vail
David M
DM
D000818:Animals; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000662:veterinary; D009669:Nose Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome