A new study from Texas A&M University suggests that dogs with a common type of brain tumor called meningioma may live longer if they receive radiation therapy instead of surgery.
This finding could help pet owners and veterinarians make better decisions when treating this serious condition.
Meningiomas are the most common brain tumors in dogs.
They grow from the protective layer surrounding the brain and can press on brain tissue over time.
This can lead to a range of symptoms, including seizures, walking in circles, changes in behavior, and difficulty coordinating movement. These tumors are especially common in older dogs and breeds like German shepherds, golden retrievers, and boxers.
In the study, researchers looked at the medical records of 285 dogs with meningiomas treated at clinics in the U.S., U.K., and Japan.
They found that dogs who received radiation therapy lived for almost two years after treatment on average, while those who had surgery lived about 10 months. The study was published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Dr. Nick Jeffery, a professor of neurology at Texas A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, explained that choosing between radiation and surgery has long been a tough decision.
Many families can only afford one of the treatments, so knowing which one gives the best chance of a longer life is important.
According to Jeffery, radiation therapy not only targets the tumor more precisely but also avoids some of the risks that come with brain surgery, like post-operative infections such as pneumonia.
While radiation requires several visits to a specialty clinic, most dogs tolerate it well and experience few side effects.
The therapy focuses on a small, specific area of the brain, which increases its effectiveness and reduces complications. On the other hand, surgery can be riskier and may not remove the tumor completely, depending on its location.
To reach their conclusion, the researchers used a method called inverse-probability weighting estimation. This statistical tool allowed them to fairly compare outcomes between the two treatments by accounting for differences between the dogs’ cases.
Normally, the best way to compare treatments is through a randomized clinical trial, but those are expensive and difficult to do with pets. This approach allowed them to use existing data and still get reliable results.
The good news is that dogs with meningiomas often have a better outcome than dogs with many other types of cancer. Thanks to this study, pet owners and vets now have clearer guidance on how to help dogs with this condition live longer, healthier lives.
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