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Radiation Oncology

The Auburn University Oncology Service offers state of the art radiation therapy facilities. These include a linear accelerator that can treat both deep and superficial tumors, iridium implants for high-dose localized radiation therapy, and both diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine facilities. Meet our radiation oncologist.

Radiation therapy is used for:

  • Treatment of tumors that can't be removed completely because of their location.
  • Treatment of tumors that were incompletely removed surgically.
  • Partial shrinkage of a large tumor that is causing specific problems for an animal.
  • Relief of bone pain due to a primary tumor or metastatic disease.

We have treated animals as large as horses and as small as rats at Auburn University's linear accelerator facility.

Side Effects

  • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are rare complications of radiation therapy in animals. We adjust the depth of treatment to avoid affecting organs that cause these effects. 
  • Skin effects are most common in the area being treated, and include permanent hair thinning/loss and/or discoloration of the skin and hair.
  • Short-term effects include a spectrum from what appears to be a mild sunburn to ulceration of the skin.
  • These effects resolve within a few days to weeks after the end of therapy.
  • Prevention of self-trauma is the mainstay of treatment.

 

© 2009 Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine