Soft tissue sarcoma
radiation therapy for
pets in Florida.
Soft tissue sarcomas can extend beyond their visible borders. Surgery alone may leave microscopic disease behind, especially with narrow or incomplete margins. Adjuvant radiation after incomplete excision significantly reduces the risk of local recurrence.
The tumor may look contained.
Often, it isn't.
Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of malignant tumors arising from connective tissue — fat, muscle, fascia, nerves, and blood vessels. In dogs and cats, STS most commonly appears as a firm subcutaneous or deep mass on the trunk, limbs, or head and neck. Their defining characteristic: microscopic tumor cells can extend beyond the palpable margin.
This biological behavior makes complete surgical excision technically demanding even for experienced surgeons — and at anatomically constrained sites like the distal limb, digits, face, or perineum, truly wide margins are often impossible.
Why adjuvant radiation changes outcomes
Post-surgical radiation targets the entire surgical bed — including the at-risk tissue surrounding it — delivering dose precisely to the zone where microscopic STS cells remain after excision. Adjuvant radiation after incomplete excision significantly reduces the risk of local recurrence.
Grade matters — but incomplete margins matter more
High-grade STS (grade II–III) carries elevated recurrence risk even with apparently clean margins, and adjuvant radiation is often recommended. For grade I STS with truly wide, clean margins, the benefit of radiation is more nuanced — Dr. DiBernardi reviews each case individually to determine whether the expected recurrence risk justifies a full radiation course. There is no universal answer: the decision is made with the full clinical picture in hand.
Scientific references.
The clinical information on this page is grounded in peer-reviewed veterinary radiation oncology literature.
- Kung MBJ, et al. (2014). Hypofractionated radiation therapy for the treatment of microscopic canine soft tissue sarcoma. Vet Comp Oncol.
- Mayer MN, Treuil PL, LaRue SM (2009). Radiotherapy and surgery for feline soft tissue sarcoma. Vet Radiol Ultrasound.
Don't wait.
Post-surgical radiation for soft tissue sarcoma usually starts once the surgical wound has healed — early referral helps plan it on time. Request a consultation and Dr. DiBernardi will review the pathology personally.
Request a Consultation →pre- or post-surgical.
Send pathology, surgical notes, and imaging. We acknowledge all referrals promptly. Pre-surgical consultation available when RT planning benefits from coordinating with the surgical approach.
Submit a Referral →