Radiation Therapy for Canine Nasal Neoplasms

Canine nasal neoplasms, comprising primarily carcinomas and sarcomas, present a formidable clinical challenge due to the complex anatomy of the sinonasal region and the tendency for local invasiveness. Radiation therapy has become a cornerstone of management, offering the potential for local tumour control, symptom palliation and survival extension. Conventional fractionated megavoltage protocols aim to deliver curative doses in multiple small fractions, balancing cytoreduction against normal‐tissue tolerance. Techniques such as three‐dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) and intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) allow more precise dose shaping around the target volume, reducing collateral exposure to eyes, brain and oral structures. More advanced approaches, including stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), deliver high doses in fewer fractions with submillimetre accuracy, further enhancing local control. Key clinical endpoints encompass tumour volume reduction, progression‐free and overall survival, and the incidence of acute and late radiation‐induced morbidities. Emerging evidence also highlights the prognostic importance of relative tumour burden within the nasal cavity and the need for stereotactic validation in multicentre settings. Together, these innovations underscore the global significance of optimising dose delivery, refining patient selection and minimising side effects to improve quality of life and long‐term outcomes in dogs with nasal cancer.

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Radiation Therapy for Canine Nasal Neoplasms publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in radiation therapy for canine nasal neoplasms across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Three‐dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT): A technique that uses computer‐generated three‐dimensional images to shape radiation beams closely to the tumour geometry.

Intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT): An advanced form of conformal therapy that modulates beam intensity across multiple fields to improve dose conformity and spare adjacent organs.

Stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT): A high‐precision technique delivering large radiation doses in a few fractions, guided by image‐registration and immobilisation to limit scatter to normal tissues.

Gross tumour volume (GTV): The visible or palpable extent of tumour delineated on imaging studies, used as the primary target for dose prescription.

Progression‐free survival (PFS): The interval from treatment initiation until documented tumour progression or death from any cause.

Time to local progression (TTLP): The duration from completion of therapy until radiological or clinical evidence of tumour regrowth at the primary site.

References

1. Retrospective comparison of side effects and outcomes of three-dimensional conformal vs. intensity-modulated radiation therapy in the palliative-intent treatment (4 Gy × 5 daily fractions) of canine intranasal tumors (2010–2017). Frontiers in Veterinary Science (2023).
2. A retrospective study of sinonasal tumors in 182 dogs treated with stereotactic radiotherapy (3 × 10 Gy) (2010‐2015). Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine (2023).
3. Relative tumor volume has prognostic relevance in canine sinonasal tumors treated with radiation therapy: A retrospective study. PLOS ONE (2022).