TOLERABILITY AND TUMOR RESPONSE OF A NOVEL LOW-DOSE PALLIATIVE RADIATION THERAPY PROTOCOL IN DOGS WITH TRANSITIONAL CELL CARCINOMA OF THE BLADDER AND URETHRA
Ten dogs with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder were treated with a combination of once-weekly coarse fraction radiation therapy (six weekly fractions of 5.75 Gray [Gy]), mitoxantrone chemotherapy, and piroxicam. All dogs completed the radiation therapy protocol, and only minimal side effects were observed. Only two (22%) dogs achieved a measurable partial response; however, 90% of the dogs had amelioration of their urinary clinical signs. The median survival time for all dogs was 326 days. While this treatment protocol was well tolerated, the response rate and overall survival duration was not superior to reports using mitoxantrone and piroxicam without radiation therapy in dogs with TCC.
The management of invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Results of definitive and preoperative radiation therapy in 390 patients treated at the prince of Wales hospital, Sydney, Australia