🐕How effective is Radiation Therapy(RT)? How much can it extend the lifespan of animals on average?
The effectiveness of Radiation Therapy and the specific extension of lifespan for animals depend on several factors, including the type, size, location, and stage of the tumor, as well as the overall health condition and individual differences of the animal. Before deciding to proceed with radiation therapy for an animal, the owner must understand the nature of radiation therapy and its treatment goals.
🔍Radiation therapy has three main applications:
Curative Radiation Therapy:
🔸 Using Radiation Therapy as the primary treatment for cancer🎯, with the goal of eradicating cancer cells and achieving a cure for the animal. It can also be used in combination with chemotherapy or immunotherapy to enhance the therapeutic effect.
Adjuvant Radiation Therapy:
🔸 Mainly in combination with surgery, it can be preoperative and postoperative.
Preoperative and postoperative radiation therapy is used to shrink the tumor, improve the feasibility of surgery, and increase the chances of complete resection.
🔸 Preoperative and postoperative RT is used to destroy the residual cancer cells, reduces the risk of recurrence and improves overall survival.
- Palliative Radiation Therapy:
🔸 Provides relief from pain and discomfort caused by the tumor, aiming to improve the quality of life and manage symptoms for animals affected by the tumor.
