Evaluation of radiotherapy alone or in combination with doxorubicin chemotherapy for the treatment of cats with incompletely excised soft tissue sarcomas: 71 cases (1989-1999).
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the addition of doxorubicin chemotherapy affected the outcome of cats with incompletely excised, nonvisceral soft tissue sarcomas undergoing postoperative radiotherapy.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
71 cats.


METHODS
Medical records were reviewed for clinically relevant data on cats that underwent postoperative radiotherapy for treatment of incompletely excised soft tissue sarcomas with or without concurrent doxorubicin chemotherapy. Radiotherapy was performed on an alternate-day schedule, with a total dose of 58.8 to 63 Gy delivered in 21 fractions. Doxorubicin was administered every 21 days for 3 to 5 cycles. Follow-up information was obtained by means of physical examination or through telephone conversations with refer-ring veterinarians or owners.


RESULTS
Median disease-free interval with concurrent radiotherapy and doxorubicin chemotherapy (15.4 months; range, 2.4 to 44.9 months) was significantly longer than median disease-free interval with radiotherapy alone (5.7 months; range, 1.0 to 50.8 months). However, survival time was not significantly different between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggested that doxorubicin chemotherapy may play a role in extending the disease-free interval in cats undergoing radiotherapy for treatment of incompletely excised soft tissue sarcomas.
Hahn
Kevin A
KA
Gulf Coast Veterinary Oncology, 1111 W Loop S, Houston, TX 77027, USA.
Endicott
Melissa M
MM
King
Glen K
GK
Harris-King
F Dee
FD
D000818:Animals; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D002415:Cats; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D004317:Doxorubicin