J Vet Sci.  2018 Jul;19(4):550-556. 10.4142/jvs.2018.19.4.550.

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

• Seo J
• Son J
• Cho Y
• Park N
• Kim DW
• Kim J
• Yoon M

• KMID: 2417571
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2018.19.4.550

Abstract

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.

Keyword

X-ray; companion animals; radiation therapy

MeSH Terms

Abdomen
Animals
Brain
Brain Neoplasms
Friends*
Hospitals, Animal
Humans
Nasal Cavity
Pets*
Radiotherapy*
Therapeutic Uses
Therapeutic Uses

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Percentage depth doses (PDD) of 300 kV, 450 kV, and 6 MV X-ray beams at field sizes of (A) 3 cm × 3 cm, (B) 6 cm × 6 cm, (C) 10 cm × 10 cm, (D) 15 cm × 15 cm, and (E) 20 cm × 20 cm.

• 

  Fig. 2 Percent isodose distributions in nasal tumors (non-infectious meningoencephalitis or necrotizing meningoencephalitis). (A and B) Axial (A) and sagittal (B) views using a 300 kV X-ray beam; (C and D) axial and sagittal (D) views using a 450 kV X-ray beam; and (E and F) axial (E) and sagittal (F) views using a 6 MV X-ray beam. Colored scale bars indicate isodose levels normalized to the prescribed dose.

• 

  Fig. 3 Percent isodose distributions in forefoot tumors (malignant muscular tumor or anaplastic rhabdomyosarcoma). (A and B) Axial (A) and sagittal (B) views using a 300 kV X-ray beam; (C and D) axial (C) and sagittal (D) views using a 450 kV X-ray beam; and (E and F) axial (E) and sagittal (F) views using a 6 MV X-ray beam. Colored scale bars indicate isodose levels normalized to the prescribed dose.

• 

  Fig. 4 Dose-volume histogram results for nasal tumors (malignant nasal tumor or transitional cell sarcoma) from the 300 kV, 450 kV, and 6 MV X-ray beams. Results are shown for (A) the planning target volume of the tumor, as well as for the (B) body, (C) brain, (D) left eye, (E) right eye, (F) left lens, and (G) right lens.

• 

  Fig. 5 Dose-volume histogram results for brain tumors (non-infectious meningoencephalitis or necrotizing meningoencephalitis) from the 300 kV, 450 kV, and 6 MV X-ray beams. Results are shown for (A) the planning target volume of the tumor, as well as for the (B) body, (C) oral cavity, (D) brain, (E) left eye, (F) right eye, (G) left lens, and (H) right lens.

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