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

Spinal tumor radiation
therapy for pets
in Florida.

Spinal tumors cause progressive neurological compromise — weakness, paralysis, and pain. Radiation therapy can relieve spinal cord compression, halt progression, and restore function when surgery is not possible or incomplete.

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Board Certified Radiation Oncologist on site
Palm Beach County, FL
Same-week consultations
1–5
Sessions with SRS/SRT — submillimeter precision
60%+
Of patients show neurological improvement after radiation
Same wk
Consultations available for urgent neurological cases
Only 1
Center 100% dedicated to radiation oncology in Florida

“The only center 100% dedicated to Radiation Oncology in Florida”

Understanding Spinal Tumors in Pets

When the spine is the problem,
precision matters most.

Spinal tumors compress or invade the spinal cord — producing progressive weakness, incoordination, and pain that worsens as the tumor grows. The spinal cord's sensitivity to radiation requires submillimeter targeting accuracy. At AARADONC, this is exactly what our technology provides.

Spinal tumors in dogs and cats are classified by where they arise relative to the spinal cord: extradural (outside the dural sac — most often vertebral tumors or metastatic disease), intradural-extramedullary (within the dural sac but outside the cord — includes meningiomas and nerve sheath tumors), and intramedullary (within the cord itself). Each type has different surgical accessibility and radiation responsiveness.

Why radiation therapy is often the primary option

Many spinal tumors — particularly intramedullary masses and tumors at surgically challenging vertebral levels — cannot be safely removed without risk of permanent neurological damage. Radiation therapy targets these tumors with precision that surgery cannot match in these locations, delivering therapeutic doses to the tumor while respecting the adjacent spinal cord's tolerance limits.

Timing is critical for spinal tumors. Progressive neurological deficits — weakness, ataxia, paresis — indicate worsening spinal cord compression. Once paralysis is complete or damage becomes permanent, radiation cannot restore function. Early treatment gives the best chance of neurological recovery.

SRS/SRT — precision for the spine

Stereotactic radiation (SRS/SRT) is ideally suited for spinal tumors. It delivers ablative doses in 1–5 sessions with submillimeter accuracy, protecting the delicate spinal cord while maximizing tumor dose. For well-defined spinal tumors, SRS/SRT can achieve durable local control with minimal sessions and rapid treatment completion.

At AARADONC, Dr. Lisa DiBernardi personally reviews every spinal tumor case — MRI and CT imaging, neurological status, and treatment history — before designing the radiation plan. Precision here is not an option. It is the requirement.
60%+
Patients show neurological improvement after radiation
1–5
Sessions with SRS/SRT — submillimeter spinal targeting
Same day
Home after every session — outpatient treatment
Treatment at AARADONC

Submillimeter precision
where it matters most.

Spinal tumor treatment at AARADONC starts with a complete specialist review — MRI and CT imaging, neurological status, treatment history. Dr. DiBernardi personally designs every plan, selecting between SRS/SRT and CFRT based on tumor type, location, and urgency.

Varian TrueBeam® + IGRT. Cone Beam CT imaging before every session is especially critical for spinal tumors — the spinal cord's radiation tolerance demands submillimeter positioning accuracy at every fraction.

SRS/SRT for well-defined tumors. 1–5 sessions with submillimeter accuracy using VMAT/RapidArc — maximum precision at the spinal cord, where tolerances are strictest.

CFRT for post-surgical or diffuse disease. When the surgical bed requires treatment or the tumor is less well-defined, CFRT with daily IGRT provides the dose distribution and accuracy needed.

Learn more about our protocols →
Protocol Options

SRS/SRT or CFRT — chosen by tumor type and location.

Preferred — Well-Defined Spinal Tumors
SRS / SRT
1–5 sessions
Submillimeter precision · outpatient · same-day home
Learn more →
Also Available
CFRT
16–20 sessions
Post-surgical or diffuse disease · outpatient
Learn more →
Common Questions

What pet owners
ask us most.

Spinal tumors are classified by location: extradural (outside the dural sac — most common, often vertebral tumors or metastatic disease), intradural-extramedullary (within the dural sac but outside the spinal cord — meningiomas, nerve sheath tumors), and intramedullary (within the spinal cord itself — astrocytomas, ependymomas). Location determines which treatment approach is most appropriate.
For Pet Owners
Get a specialist review.
Same-day response.

Dr. DiBernardi personally reviews every case. Tell us about your pet and we'll respond the same day with a clear, honest recommendation.

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

Submit a referral and receive same-day acknowledgment. We coordinate directly with your practice throughout treatment and provide full written reports.

Referral Information →