Kilovoltage radiotherapy for companion animals: dosimetric comparison of 300 kV, 450 kV, and 6 MV X-ray beams

• Published in: Journal of veterinary science (Suwŏn-si, Korea) Vol. 19; no. 4; pp. 550 - 556
• Main Authors: Seo, Jaehyeon, Son, Jaeman, Cho, Yeona, Park, Nohwon, Kim, Dong Wook, Kim, Jinsung, Yoon, Myonggeun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) 대한수의학회 2018; The Korean Society of Veterinary Science
• Subjects: Abdominal Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Abdominal Neoplasms - veterinary; Animals; Brain Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Brain Neoplasms - veterinary; Dog Diseases - radiotherapy; Dogs; Muscle Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Muscle Neoplasms - veterinary; Nose Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Nose Neoplasms - veterinary; Original; Radiotherapy Dosage - veterinary; 수의학; companion animals; radiation therapy; X-ray
• ISSN: 1229-845X; 1976-555X
• DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2018.19.4.550

Radiotherapy for the treatment of cancer in companion animals is currently administered by using megavoltage X-ray machines. Because these machines are expensive, most animal hospitals do not perform radiotherapy. This study evaluated the ability of relatively inexpensive kilovoltage X-ray machines to treat companion animals. A simulation study based on a commercial treatment-planning system was performed for tumors of the brain (non-infectious meningoencephalitis), nasal cavity (malignant nasal tumors), forefoot (malignant muscular tumors), and abdomen (malignant intestinal tumors). The results of kilovoltage (300 kV and 450 kV) and megavoltage (6 MV) X-ray beams were compared. Whereas the 300 kV and 6 MV X-ray beams provided optimal radiation dose homogeneity and conformity, respectively, for brain tumors, the 6 MV X-rays provided optimal homogeneity and radiation conformity for nasal cavity, forefoot, and abdominal tumors. Although megavoltage X-ray beams provided better radiation dose distribution in most treated animals, the differences between megavoltage and kilovoltage X-ray beams were relatively small. The similar therapeutic effects of the kilovoltage and 6 MV X-ray beams suggest that kilovoltage X-ray beams may be effective alternatives to megavoltage X-ray beams in treating cancers in companion animals.