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. 2010 Apr;12(4):306-13.
doi: 10.1016/j.jfms.2009.10.005. Epub 2010 Jan 19.

Radiation therapy for feline cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma using a hypofractionated protocol

Simone C S Cunha  1 , Luis Alfredo V Carvalho, Paulo Cesar Canary, Marcio Reisner, Katia B Corgozinho, Heloisa J M Souza, Ana Maria R Ferreira
Affiliations

Radiation therapy for feline cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma using a hypofractionated protocol

Simone C S Cunha et al. J Feline Med Surg. 2010 Apr.

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the efficacy of a hypofractionated radiation protocol for feline facial squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Twenty-five histologically confirmed SCCs in 15 cats were treated with four fractions of 7.6-10Gy each, with 1 week intervals. The equipment used was a linear accelerator Clinac 2100 delivering electron beam of 4 or 6MeV, and a bolus of 5 or 10mm was used in all lesions. Of the lesions, 44% were staged as T4, 16% as T3, 8% as T2 and 32% as T1. Of the irradiated lesions, 40% had complete response, 12% had partial response and 48% had no response (NR) to the treatment. For T1 tumors, 62.5% had complete remission. Mean overall survival time was 224 days. Owners requested euthanasia of cats having NR to the treatment. Mean disease free time was 271 days. Side effects observed were skin erythema, epilation, ulceration and conjunctivitis, which were graded according to Veterinary Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (VRTOG) toxicity criteria. Response rates found in this study (52%) were lower when compared to other protocols, probably due to technique differences, such as fractionation schedule, bolus thickness and energy penetration depth. However, the hypofractionated radiation protocol was considered safe for feline facial SCC. Modifications of this protocol are being planned with the objective of improving the cure rates in the future.

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Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
Hypofractionated radiation therapy for feline squamous cell carcinoma. Photograph of lesion 9 before (A) and after (B) radiation treatment, showing CR. Photograph of lesion 10 before (C) and after (D) radiation treatment, showing CR.
Fig 2
Fig 2
Acute reactions to hypofractionated radiation therapy observed in cats with squamous cell carcinoma. (A) Conjunctivitis in cat H. (B) Erythema in cat C. (C) Epilation in cat J. (D) Nasal ulceration in cat E.
Fig 3
Fig 3
Kaplan–Meier survival plot of 15 cats with squamous cell carcinoma treated with hypofractionated radiation therapy.
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