title: Advances in veterinary radiation therapy: targeting tumors and improving patient comfort.
abstract: Newer technology, such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy, can dramatically decrease acute radiation side effects, making patients more comfortable during and after treatment. Stereotactic radiation therapy for definitive treatment can be delivered in 1 to 5 fractions, with minimal radiation-associated effects. Image-guided radiation therapy can be used to direct treatment in locations previously not amenable to radiation therapy. Traditional fractionated radiation therapy remains the most commonly available type in veterinary medicine and is the standard of care for many tumors. This article discusses the role of advancements in the treatment of veterinary cancer patients and reviews more traditional radiation treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University Flint Animal Cancer Center, 300 West Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA. Electronic address: slarue@colostate.edu.
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: LaRue
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University Flint Animal Cancer Center, 300 West Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
authors.forename: James T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Custis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002415:Cats; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D004285:Dogs; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000639:trends / Q000662:veterinary*
keywords: Image-guided radiation therapy; Intensity-modulated radiation therapy; Stereotactic radiation therapy; Veterinary radiation therapy