Nasal tumor radiation therapy for dogs and cats — AARADONC Palm Beach Florida
Nasal Tumor Radiation Therapy · Dogs & Cats · Florida

Nasal tumor radiation
therapy for pets
in Florida.

Nasal tumors are among the most radiation-responsive cancers in veterinary oncology. Radiation is not a last resort — it is the established standard of care for dogs.

Request a Consultation
Understanding Nasal Tumors in Pets

Among the most radiation-responsive
tumors in veterinary oncology.

Nasal tumors — adenocarcinomas, carcinomas, and sarcomas of the nasal cavity and sinuses — are among the most predictably responsive cancers to radiation therapy. For these tumors, radiation therapy is the gold standard, not a last resort.

Nasal tumors grow within the rigid architecture of the nasal cavity, bounded by bone and in proximity to the brain, orbits, and palate. This anatomy makes complete surgical removal nearly impossible without significant disfigurement or neurological risk. What anatomy limits for surgery, it enables for radiation — the tumor sits in a well-defined location that can be precisely targeted.

Why radiation therapy is the main treatment for nasal tumors

Radiation therapy is associated with longer survival than supportive care alone. Dogs treated with radiation therapy have reported median survival of roughly 13–19 months in published studies. Quality of life is typically well-preserved throughout.

Epistaxis (nosebleeds) in dogs over 8 years old should always prompt evaluation for nasal tumors. It is one of the earliest and most consistent warning signs.

What to expect during treatment

Nasal radiation is delivered as outpatient sessions under short general anesthesia, and the animal goes home the same day. Acute side effects are manageable and temporary, and most patients maintain normal activity and appetite throughout the treatment course.

At AARADONC, Dr. Lisa DiBernardi is on site and personally designs every nasal tumor treatment plan — reviewing CT imaging, staging, and histopathology before selecting the protocol. No two plans are identical.
References

Scientific references.

The clinical information on this page is grounded in peer-reviewed veterinary radiation oncology literature.

  1. Mayer MN, et al. (2019). Outcomes and adverse effects associated with stereotactic body radiation therapy in dogs with nasal tumors: 28 cases (2011–2016). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 254(5):602.
  2. Gieger TL, Nolan MW (2018). Linac-based stereotactic radiation therapy for canine non-lymphomatous nasal tumours: 29 cases (2013–2016). Vet Comp Oncol.
  3. Fox-Alvarez S, Shiomitsu K, Lejeune AT, Szivek A, Kubicek L (2020). Outcome of intensity-modulated radiation therapy–based stereotactic radiation therapy for treatment of canine nasal carcinomas. Vet Radiol Ultrasound.
  4. Czichon F, Rohrer Bley C, Meier V (2021). Relative tumor volume has prognostic relevance in canine sinonasal tumors treated with radiation therapy: a retrospective study. PLoS ONE.
  5. Fu D-R, et al. (2023). Retrospective comparison of side effects and outcomes of three-dimensional conformal vs. intensity-modulated radiation therapy in the palliative-intent treatment (4 Gy × 5 daily fractions) of canine intranasal tumors (2010–2017). Front Vet Sci. 10:1011949.
  6. Hunley DW, Mauldin GN, Shiomitsu K, Mauldin GE (2010). Clinical outcome in dogs with nasal tumors treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy. Can Vet J. 51:293.
For Pet Families
Get a specialist review.
Prompt response.

Dr. DiBernardi is on site and personally reviews every case. Tell us about your pet and we'll respond promptly with a clear recommendation.

Request a Consultation
For Veterinarians
Refer a patient with
a nasal tumor.

Submit a referral and receive prompt acknowledgment. We coordinate directly with your practice throughout treatment.

Referral Information →