[Radiotherapy in veterinary medicine (review)].

The research article discusses the application and efficacy of radiotherapy in treating various types of cancer in animals, particularly focusing on dogs, cats, and horses.

Physico-technical and Biological Fundamentals

• The paper starts with a review of the basic elements involved in radiation therapy from a technical and biological standpoint. It gives a brief overview of how radiation therapy is performed and the underlying biological principles that make it an effective method for treating cancer.

Indications for Radiation Therapy

• The authors elaborate on specific conditions that warrant radiation therapy in dogs, cats, and horses. The decision to use this treatment is often based on the TNM (tumor, nodes, and metastases) classification system, a globally recognized standard for staging and classifying malignant tumors set out by the World Health Organisation.

Tumor Sensitivity

• The paper explores the varying degrees of sensitivity that different types of tumors have to radiation therapy. It states that tumors of the hemolymphatic system are highly responsive, while epithelial tumors also show some sensitivity.
• Conversely, tumors that originate from mesenchymal tissues are found to be less sensitive. Particularly, melanoma and osteosarcoma appear to be resistant to the effects of radiation therapy.

Normal Tissue Tolerance

• The article highlights a significant concern around the use of radiation therapy, its effects on normal tissue surrounding the tumor. The potential harm to healthy tissue often restricts the application and efficacy of this treatment method.