Radiation Oncology
Overview
The Oncology services at CVRC compassionately treat pets with any form of cancer with the primary goal of improving quantity, but most of all, QUALITY, of life. Unfortunately, cancer is quite common in our animal companions, with a prevalence of 25% (this increases to 50% in dogs >10 years old). Because some tumors, if caught early, can be managed or cured with surgery or other treatment modalities, early detection and intervention is crucial. The management of cancer often involves surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these methodologies. Each plays a different role and combining them allows us to create the most effective, individualized plan for every patient.
Surgery involves the removal of the tumor or as much of the tumor as possible and is often the first step in treatment. It can be curative for some cancers and helps reduce the amount of disease that other therapies need to address.
Medical oncology uses systemic treatments—such as chemotherapy, targeted therapies, electrochemotherapy and immunotherapy—to treat cancer cells throughout the body and occasionally locally. These therapies help slow or stop cancer progression, manage symptoms, and improve quality of life.
Radiation oncology provides a precise, non-invasive treatment option for localized, solitary tumors, making it especially valuable for cancers that cannot be completely removed surgically or are in areas where surgery is not possible. Using carefully targeted radiation beams with sub-millimeter accuracy, treatment is focused directly on the tumor while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. For many animals, radiation therapy can help shrink tumors, relieve discomfort, improve quality of life, and extend survival times. In some cases, it can even provide long-term control of the disease.
Together, the surgery, medical oncology and radiation oncology services provide a comprehensive, collaborative approach to cancer care—giving pets the best chance at comfort, longevity, and meaningful time with their families.
What our veterinary radiation therapy service provides
Thoughtful, individualized cancer care for each patient
Advanced technology that delivers precise, highly conformal radiation treatments
A non-surgical option that keeps pets comfortable with minimal downtime
Meaningful improvements in comfort, mobility, and overall well-being
A blend of compassionate care with cutting-edge science to give pets with cancer a chance at living longer, happier lives
What is a veterinary radiation oncologist?
A board-certified veterinary radiation oncologist has obtained intensive additional training in oncology and has been certified by the American College of Veterinary Radiology (DACVR –Radiation Oncology). The advanced training and education required for certification includes a veterinary degree (3-4 years of undergraduate university, followed by 4 years of veterinary school), a rotating internship (1 year), an oncology residency (3 years), and passing a rigorous examination covering all aspects of veterinary radiation oncology.
What diseases does the Radiation Oncology service manage?
Radiation is primarily used to treat localized cancers. Examples include:
Brain tumors
Nasal tumors
Oral tumors
Ear tumors
Spinal cord tumors
Bone tumors
Lung tumors
Heart tumors
Liver tumors
Adrenal tumors
Prostate tumors
Bladder tumors
Skin tumors
Carotid body tumors
What is radiation therapy, and how does it help my pet?
Radiation therapy uses carefully targeted beams of high energy x-rays to treat tumors while sparing the healthy tissues around them. Radiation therapy can shrink tumors, relieve pain, and improve day-to-day comfort. For many pets, it has become an important part of controlling cancer and maintaining quality of life.
Will my pet feel sick or uncomfortable during radiation treatment?
Most animals tolerate radiation therapy very well. Treatments are non-invasive, and side effects—if they occur—are usually limited to the area being treated. Your care team will walk you through what to expect and support your pet every step of the way.
How does radiation fit in with surgery or chemotherapy?
Radiation is one of the three main pillars of cancer care, alongside surgery and medical oncology. It can be used on its own or combined with other treatments to achieve the best possible outcome. Your veterinary oncologists will help design a plan tailored specifically to your pet’s needs.
What diagnostics does the Radiation Oncology service offer?
Physical exam
Full staging of cancer
Full in-house laboratory
Hematology
Blood chemistry
Urinalysis
Coagulation profile
Cytology
Full complement of external laboratories for advanced testing
Diagnostic Imaging
Digital radiography
Ultrasound
Echocardiography
Fluoroscopy
CT
MRI
Fine needle aspirates
Ultrasound guided biopsies
What types of radiation therapy does the Radiation Oncology service offer?
Stereotactic radiation therapy
Conventionally fractionated radiation therapy
Palliative radiation therapy
Half body radiation therapy for multicentric lymphoma
Low dose radiation therapy for non-cancerous, inflammatory conditions (ie. Osteoarthritis)
What is stereotactic radiation therapy?
Stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT), also called stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), is a highly advanced form of radiation treatment that delivers very high doses of radiation in few treatments (usually 3 or less) with extreme precision and sub-millimeter accuracy. This precision allows us to treat solitary, well-defined tumors while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.
SRT is becoming increasingly available as technology improves, and it has expanded what is considered treatable. Because the radiation beams are so precisely focused, SRT can be used in areas that were once thought too risky or “untreatable,” including the lung, liver, adrenal gland, bladder, and other soft-tissue or abdominal sites.
Do I need a referral?
No, you do not need a referral for our Radiation Oncology service. However, referrals are often beneficial as they provide us with direct details regarding your pet’s medical history. If you would like us to see your pet without a referral, please email us your pet’s complete medical records, along with any previous diagnostics that have been performed.
What should I expect during my visit?
If you are a new client to CVRC, we encourage you to fill out our online New Patient Registration Form ahead of time,[SJ1] or bring the form with you. Otherwise, please arrive to your appointment approximately 10 minutes early to complete this form in our office.
Visits with the Radiation Oncology service will take a few hours for initial consults. If your pet’s care is more complicated and additional time is needed, we will keep you informed. Your visit will start with the Radiation Oncology technician getting a full history from you. Please bring any medications that your pet is taking. The oncologist will perform a physical exam. A plan for further diagnostics will be discussed with you. When diagnostics are complete, the oncologist will meet with you to explain their findings, go through a management plan, and answer any questions you may have. Written reports will be emailed to you and your primary veterinarian. We will maintain an ongoing relationship with you to ensure the best experience for you and your animal.
What should I bring to my visit?
Your pet!
All medications that your pet is receiving.
All of your pet’s medical records (these can be emailed by your pet’s other veterinarians to CVRC).
The person bringing your pet to the initial appointment should have thorough knowledge of the pet.
Follow your normal routine for medications and feeding the day of your visit unless you have been instructed otherwise by our staff.
If your pet is anxious in the clinic and has been prescribed trazodone or gabapentin in the past, give a dose 1-2 hours prior to your appointment.
Will you keep my family veterinarian informed of the care my pet receives at CVRC?
Absolutely, as long as you wish us to. We will keep your primary veterinarian updated about everything that happens here so that we are all on the same page. Your veterinarian will also have access to your pet’s medical record through our portal.
Radiation Oncology
Molly Holmes, DVM, DACVR (RO)
Molly Holmes, DVM, DACVR (RO)
