Efficacy of stereotactic radiation therapy for the treatment of confirmed or presumed canine glioma

Abstract

Intracranial gliomas are the second most common brain tumour in dogs. Radiation therapy provides a minimally invasive treatment option for this tumour type. Earlier publications reporting on the use of non‐modulated radiation therapy suggested a poor prognosis for dogs with glioma, with median survival times ranging between 4 and 6 months; more recent literature utilizing stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT) demonstrates that the prognosis for canine gliomas may be more promising, with survival times closer to 12 months. A single institution retrospective study was performed between 2010 and 2020 investigating the outcomes of dogs with biopsy‐confirmed glioma or a presumptive diagnosis of intra‐cranial glioma based on MRI characteristics that were treated with SRT. Twenty‐three client‐owned dogs were included. Brachycephalic breeds were overrepresented, totalling 13 dogs (57%). SRT protocols included 16 Gy single fraction (n = 1, 4%), 18 Gy single fraction (n = 1, 4%), 24 Gy in 3 daily fractions (n = 20, 91%), or 27 Gy in four daily fractions (n = 1, 4%). Twenty‐one dogs (91%) had improvement of their presenting clinical signs following SRT. Median overall survival time (MST) was 349 days (95% CI, 162–584). Median disease specific survival time was 413 days (95% CI, 217–717). When SRT is incorporated into the management plan for dogs with confirmed or presumed intracranial glioma, a median survival time of approximately 12 months may be achievable.

Common Neurologic Diseases in Geriatric Dogs

“…Surgical treatment of gliomas is infrequently attempted as approaching and removing them is technically demanding due to their intra-axial location [ 6 , 28 ]. Radiation therapy (RT): it has been shown to be beneficial for the treatment of intracranial tumours used as a monotherapy or adjunctive modality [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 22 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. Although meningiomas are associated in the literature with a significantly better prognosis in terms of survival compared to gliomas, recent studies reported similar survival times in both types of tumours [ 33 , 34 ].…”

“… Radiation therapy (RT): it has been shown to be beneficial for the treatment of intracranial tumours used as a monotherapy or adjunctive modality [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 22 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. Although meningiomas are associated in the literature with a significantly better prognosis in terms of survival compared to gliomas, recent studies reported similar survival times in both types of tumours [ 33 , 34 ]. Another important beneficial effect of radiation therapy is the increase of seizure freedom.…”

“…Another important beneficial effect of radiation therapy is the increase of seizure freedom. This can be crucial because the recurrence of seizures is a common reason for euthanasia in these patients [ 31 , 33 , 35 ].…”

“…Radiation therapy (RT): it has been shown to be beneficial for the treatment of intracranial tumours used as a monotherapy or adjunctive modality [11][12][13]22,[31][32][33].…”

“…Although meningiomas are associated in the literature with a significantly better prognosis in terms of survival compared to gliomas, recent studies reported similar survival times in both types of tumours [33,34]. Another important beneficial effect of radiation therapy is the increase of seizure freedom.…”