Radiation Therapy for furry, four-legged patients

Alexandra AtkinsRadiation TherapistPalmerston North Radiation Therapy Department

Introduction

Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (MUVTH)

Palmerston North Regional Cancer Treatment Service

First patient treated in July 2013Six dogs treated to dateBig industry internationally Radiation is important for animal cancer controlLots of research available

What we are doing…

•Palliative cases•CT planning /mark up

•3D planning •Megavoltage treatment

•SXR treatment

Pre Treatment

•Masks•Vacbags•Mouthbites•Tattooing•Markup

Pre Treatment

•Masks- recycled clarity masks•Vacbags•Mouthbites•Tattooing•Markup

Pre treatment

•Masks- recycled clarity masks•Vacbags•Mouthbites•Tattooing•Markup

Pre Treatment

•Masks•Vacbags•Mouthbites•Tattooing•Markup

Marking/tattooing

Pre Treatment

•Masks•Vacbags•Mouthbites•Tattooing•Markup

Planning

•3D planning•Physical wedges and shielding•Dose tolerances/tissue constraints

Treatment

•Quick procedure•Two days a week•Port film imaging•Volunteer out of hours service

Patients responses to date..

•Minimal side effects•Enthusiastic responses to tumour progression

•Return of function•Long term survival not assessed

Staff training

•Huge staff interest•Exposure•Changing techniques•Frequency

Where to from here…

Thanks

•Jonathan Bray- Massey University

•Steve Crow- Massey Univesity

•Selena Hardman, Pauline McCheesney, Lisa Te Paiho- Radiation Therapists

•Dr Nikolay Nedev- Radiation Oncologist