International Journal of Research in Agriculture and Environmental Studies
Home › International Journal of Research in Agriculture and Environmental Studies
☰
✕
Vol. 1 No. 1 (2026): October
Articles

Role of Electron Beam Radiation Therapy in Veterinary Medicine

Download Pdf
  • John A. Anderson,
  • Emily R. Carter

Published 2026-10-07

Keywords

  • Array

Abstract

Electron beam radiotherapy is a form of external beam treatment that uses high-energy electrons generated by a linear accelerator. When these electrons enter biological tissue, they deposit most of their energy near the surface and then quickly lose intensity, which helps limit radiation exposure to deeper structures. This property makes electron beams, typically with energies up to about 20 MeV, particularly suitable for managing tumors located close to the surface while sparing underlying healthy tissues. Because of these characteristics, electron beam therapy is widely used in both human and veterinary cancer care. In veterinary oncology, radiotherapy has become an important tool for managing neoplastic diseases, mainly through two approaches: external beam therapy (teletherapy) and internal radiation (brachytherapy). Among these, teletherapy especially electron beam irradiation, is more commonly applied due to its effectiveness in treating superficial lesions with reduced impact on surrounding normal tissues. Current research shows increasing use of this technique in animals such as dogs and cats, particularly for conditions like oral neoplasms, soft tissue sarcomas, mast cell tumors, nasal tumors, and certain intracranial cancers. Furthermore, shorter radiation schedules using higher doses per session (hypofractionation) are often considered for palliative care in animals with limited life expectancy. These protocols, typically involving fewer treatments with larger doses, can help alleviate clinical signs and improve overall comfort, while the likelihood of long-term side effects remains relatively low. Even with these advancements, the success of treatment depends on several variables, including the total dose delivered, how it is divided over time, and the biological behavior of the tumor. Although electron beam therapy has shown promising results in veterinary oncology, ongoing research is still necessary to refine treatment strategies, improve outcomes, and reduce potential complications.

Download Pdf

References

  1. Adams, W.M., Miller, P.E., Vail, D.M., Forrest, L.J., and Macewen, E.G. (1998). An accelerated technique for irradiation for malignant canine nasal and paranasal sinus tumors.
  2. Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound 39, 475-81.
  3. Al Sarraf, R., Mauldin, G.N., Patnaik, A.K., Melo, K.A. (1996). A prospective study of radiation therapy for the treatment of grade 2 mast cell tumors in 32 dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 10; 376-378.
  4. Blackwood, L. and Dobson, J. M. (1996). Radiotherapy of oral malignant melanomas in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 209; 98-102.
  5. Cray, M., Selmic, L. E., & Ruple, A. (2020). Demographics of dogs and cats with oral tumors presenting to teaching hospitals: 1996–2017. Journal of veterinary science, 21(5), e70.
  6. Cronin, K., Page, R.L., Spodnick, G., Dodge, R., Hardie, E.N., Price, S. G., Ruslander, D. And Thrall, D. E. (1998). Radiation therapy and surgery for fibrosarcoma in 33 cats.
  7. Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound 39, 51-56.
  8. Debreuque, M. A. U. D., De Fornel, P. A. U. L. I. N. E., David, I., Delisle, F. R. A. N. C. O. I. S. E., Ducerveau, M. N., Devauchelle, P. A. T. R. I. C. K., & Thibaud, J. L. (2020). Definitive-intent uniform megavoltage fractioned radiotherapy protocol for presumed canine intracranial gliomas: retrospective analysis of survival and prognostic factors in 38 cases (2013–2019). BMC veterinary research, 16, 1-14.
  9. Dommert, R. (1961). Hemangiopericytoma in a cat. The Southwestern Veterinarian 14, 149-150.
  10. Donaldson, S.S., and Findley, D.O. (1991). Treatment of orbital lymphoid tumors with electron beams. In: Vaeth, J.M., and Meyer, J.L., (Eds). Frontiers of radiation therapy and oncology Vol. 25: The role of high energy electrons in the treatment of cancer. Basel: S. Karger AG, 187-200.
  11. Farrelly, J., and McEntee, M.C. (2003). Principles and Applications of Radiation Therapy. Clinical Techniques in Small Animal Practice, 18(2): 82-87.
  12. Fletcher, G.H. (1976). Clinical applications of the electron beam. In: Tapley N, (Ed.) Wiley, New York, USA.
  13. Forrest, L.J., Chun, R., Adams, W.M., Cooley, A.J., and Vail, D.M. (2000). Postoperative radiotherapy for canine soft tissue sarcoma. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 14; 578-582.
  14. Forrest, L.J., Chun, R, Adams, W.M., Cooley, A.J., and Vail, D.M. (2000). Postoperative radiotherapy for canine soft tissue sarcoma. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 14; 578-582.
  15. Hilmas, D.E., and Gillette, E.L. (1976). Radiotherapy of spontaneous fibrous connectivetissue sarcomas in animals. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 56, 365-368.
  16. Hogstrom, K. R., Carver, R. L., Chambers, E. L., & Erhart, K. (2017). Introduction to passive electron intensity modulation. Journal of applied clinical medical physics, 18(6), 10-19.
Journal Footer