Efficacy of Palliative Radiation Therapy on Canine Inflammatory Mammary Gland Carcinoma

Abstract

Palliative radiation therapy was administered to 3 dogs with inflammatory mammary gland carcinoma. A single fraction of 8 Gy was administered by linear accelerator (4 MeV) to primary mammary cancers on days 0, 7, and 21 for a total dose of 8-24 Gy. These treatments relieved the pain associated with the tumors. Survival time for the 3 dogs was about 6 weeks. Though palliative radiation therapy brings relief from pain associated with canine mammary gland carcinoma, it may have little efficacy in increasing survival time.