Introduction

Tumor resection is effective for intracranial tumors. However, recurrence may occur early after resection. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are administered for residual tumor cells. Radiotherapy, including hypofractionated radiotherapy, may be effective for intracranial tumors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate brain tumor resection with hypofractionated radiotherapy.

Methods

Dogs with intracranial tumors underwent resection by the same surgeon; some dogs received radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Dogs with hematomas and meningiomas were excluded. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log-rank analysis were used to compare the presence and absence of radiotherapy.

Results

Surgery was performed in 18 dogs; postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy were administered in 7 and 4 dogs, respectively. The tumor locations were the cortex (n=17) and brainstem (n=1). The diagnoses were anaplastic oligodendrocyte (n=6), glioblastoma (n=3), granulomatous meningoencephalitis (n=3), histiocytic sarcoma (n=2), glioma (n=2), oligodendrocyte tumor (n=1), and choroid plexus papilloma (n=1). Chemotherapy drugs were not administered in dogs that received radiotherapy. A median of 26 Gy of radiotherapy in 4 fractions was administered for 1 month. The overall survival times in dogs that underwent surgery with/without chemotherapy, with chemotherapy, and with radiotherapy were 2.5, 5.5, and 13 months, respectively. Acute and late radiation-associated adverse events were not noted. Dogs that received radiotherapy survived significantly longer than dogs that underwent surgery with/without chemotherapy (p<0.01).

Conclusion

Surgery and postoperative hypofractionated radiotherapy might be effective for central nervous system tumors.

Funding Information

No.