Radiation therapy
for glioma
in dogs — Florida.

Infiltrative by nature —
radiation therapy is the primary answer.

Gliomas differ from meningiomas in one critical way: they grow into brain tissue rather than compressing it from the outside. This infiltrative growth pattern makes surgical resection impossible without causing severe neurological damage — which is why radiation therapy is the cornerstone of treatment.

Gliomas occur most frequently in brachycephalic breeds — Boxers, English Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, French Bulldogs — typically presenting between 5 and 9 years of age. New-onset seizures in a brachycephalic dog over 5 years old should trigger immediate MRI evaluation to rule out an intracranial mass.

What radiation achieves — and what to expect

Radiation therapy for glioma controls local tumor progression, reduces intracranial pressure, and in many dogs substantially reduces or eliminates seizure frequency. Most dogs show neurological improvement within 2–4 weeks of completing treatment. Median survival times of 6–14 months are consistently reported in dogs treated with definitive radiation — significantly longer than supportive care alone.

Choosing between SRS/SRT and CFRT

The radiation protocol for glioma depends on tumor characteristics seen on MRI. Well-defined tumors may be candidates for SRS/SRT (1–5 sessions with ablative precision). Larger or more infiltrative tumors typically benefit from CFRT (15–20 fractionated sessions), which allows the total dose to be delivered safely over time while protecting surrounding brain tissue. Dr. DiBernardi selects the optimal approach after full case review.