Radiation therapy
for glioma
in dogs — Florida.
Gliomas are infiltrative brain tumors that are very difficult to remove completely with surgery. Radiation therapy is the primary treatment — targeting the tumor volume precisely to control growth, reduce seizures, and extend quality of life.
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 complete surgical resection very difficult — 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 in middle-aged to older dogs. 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 can reduce seizure frequency. Many dogs show neurological improvement after treatment. Published studies report median survival of around 2 years in dogs treated with radiation therapy (e.g., 698 days in Debreuque et al., 2020).
Choosing the right protocol
The radiation protocol for glioma depends on tumor characteristics seen on MRI — tumor size, definition, and location. Dr. DiBernardi selects the optimal approach after full case review.
Scientific references.
The clinical information on this page is grounded in peer-reviewed veterinary radiation oncology literature.
- Debreuque M, et al. (2020). Definitive-intent uniform megavoltage fractionated radiotherapy protocol for presumed canine intracranial gliomas: retrospective analysis of survival and prognostic factors in 38 cases (2013–2019). BMC Vet Res.
- Treggiari E, et al. (2016). Retrospective comparison of three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy vs. prednisolone alone in 30 cases of canine infratentorial brain tumors. Vet Radiol Ultrasound.
- Schwarz P, et al. (2018). Comparative evaluation of a novel, moderately hypofractionated radiation protocol in 56 dogs with symptomatic intracranial neoplasia. J Vet Intern Med.
Prompt response.
Dr. DiBernardi is on site and personally reviews every case. Tell us about your dog and we'll respond promptly with a clear recommendation.
Request a Consultationglioma.
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