What are the side effects of stereotactic radiation?
Risks
- Fatigue. Tiredness and fatigue may occur for the first few weeks after stereotactic radiosurgery.
- Swelling. Swelling in the brain at or near the treatment site can cause signs and symptoms such as headache, nausea and vomiting.
- Scalp and hair problems.
How does radiation affect a cat?
The hair can grow back in a different color or texture. In some patients, the hair loss in the radiation field is permanent. Cats are generally more resistant to radiation effects of the skin. Most cats will have hair loss and dry flaking of the skin which may itch.
What is the most common side effect from radiation in pets?
Early side effects are usually observed within two weeks after starting radiation therapy and can continue up until one month after the treatment has begun. These effects are usually inflammatory, with areas such as the skin and mucous membranes being the most commonly affected.
Is stereotactic radiation painful?
In order to precisely direct the radiation beams, a frame is placed on the patients head. Local anesthetic is administered, and the frame is secured to the skull by four sterile pins; the only discomfort is during the administration of the local anesthetic.
How long does it take to recover from radiation fatigue?
Radiation can give you fatigue that gets worse over time (called cumulative fatigue). It usually lasts 3 to 4 weeks after your treatment stops, but it can continue for up to 3 months.
What is the success rate of stereotactic radiosurgery?
SBRT has shown dramatically better outcomes than conventional radiation therapy. Whereas two-year success rates for conventional treatment range from 30 to 40 percent, the success rates for SBRT range from 80 to 90 percent — comparable to those of resection surgery but with far fewer risks.
Should I do radiation on my cat?
“Overall, dogs, cats, and other animals tolerate radiation therapy better than people,” says Dr. Lee. Side effects occur only in the area that is treated with radiation, which includes the tumor and a small margin of healthy tissue surrounding it.
Should I put my cat through radiation?
For some pets, their cancer can be cured. In other instances, radiation can be used to palliate and relieve pain or other effects from a tumor. Oncologists recommend radiation therapy for patients when surgery is not an option or would result in unacceptable side effects.
What is the difference between CyberKnife and stereotactic radiation?
CyberKnife is used in a type of radiation therapy called stereotactic radiosurgery (also known as stereotactic radiotherapy). This treatment destroys tumors with extremely precise, very intense doses of radiation while minimizing damage to healthy tissue, offering accuracy akin to the sharpness of a surgeon’s scalpel.
How long is your immune system compromised after radiation?
Now, new research suggests that the effects of chemotherapy can compromise part of the immune system for up to nine months after treatment, leaving patients vulnerable to infections – at least when it comes to early-stage breast cancer patients who’ve been treated with a certain type of chemotherapy.
Why does my cat have a sore throat after radioiodine?
Occasionally cats will act like they may have a sore throat for a couple of days after the radioiodine therapy. But this generally resolves without intervention. It is also common for some cats to hide under the bed for a day or so after returning home as they de-stress following their “out of home” experience.
How does stereotactic radiosurgery work to treat cancer?
The high dose of radiation delivered to the affected area causes tumors to shrink and blood vessels to close off over time following treatment, robbing the tumor of its blood supply. The precision of stereotactic radiosurgery means there’s minimal damage to the healthy surrounding tissues.
Are there any side effects with radioiodine for cats?
Amazingly despite over 35 years of veterinary experience treating hyperthyroid cats with radioiodine there are virtually no reported side effects. The overwhelming majority of cats (>95%) are cured by a single therapy with only a small percentage of cats requiring additional radioiodine therapy (4%) or becoming persistently hypothyroid (1%).
Are there any side effects after stereotactic radiosurgery?
In traditional surgery, you may have risks of complications with anesthesia, bleeding and infection. Early complications or side effects are usually temporary. They may include: Fatigue. Tiredness and fatigue may occur for the first few weeks after stereotactic radiosurgery. Swelling.
How is stereotactic radiosurgery used in dogs and cats?
The take-away message about SRS in dogs and cats… Stereotactic radiosurgery or SRS is a newer state-of-the-art form of radiation therapy that can be used to treat dogs and cats with a variety of tumors. Availability of this treatment modality is increasing around the world, and as such, animal health is improving.
Occasionally cats will act like they may have a sore throat for a couple of days after the radioiodine therapy. But this generally resolves without intervention. It is also common for some cats to hide under the bed for a day or so after returning home as they de-stress following their “out of home” experience.
How is radiation therapy used to treat throat cancer?
When the beams reach the tumor, they can destroy cancer cells by damaging their DNA. Radiation therapy is known for its particular effectiveness against head and neck tumors, including cancer of the throat.
What happens when a cat is irradiated with radiation?
Once awake from the anesthetic the cat may experience a short period of discomfort but this soon passes. Indeed, radiation is sometimes used for pain relief as it also damages the nerve supply to the tumor. In the longer term, the fur in the irradiated area may grow back white.