Winter 2008 - University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine

veterinary medical center veterinary medical centerLinear accelerator offers newoptions for animals with cancerIn August 2007, the VeterinaryMedical Center unveiled a new linearaccelerator facility, becoming oneof the only veterinary hospitals in theUpper Midwest to offer state-of-the-artradiation therapy to animals with cancer.“Each year, thousands of dogs and cats inMinnesota and our neighboring states arediagnosed with cancer, and their ownersare faced with very difficult decisions,”says David Lee, Veterinary MedicalCenter director. “With the linear accelerator,our veterinarians are able to provideleading-edge cancer treatment.”The linear accelerator replaced cobaltradiation equipment used to treat cancerpatients for nearly 25 years. Identical tothe linear accelerators used in humanradiation treatment, it allows veterinarycancer specialists to map tumors inthree dimensions and focus radiationon cancerous lesions, minimizing theimpact to surrounding healthy tissue.The linear accelerator is also a key elementin the College of Veterinary Medicine’scomparative cancer research program.“Comparative cancer research involvesthe study of cancer in one species withthe goal of applying the lessons learnedto other species,” says Robert Washabau,chair of the College’s Veterinary ClinicalSciences Department. “Cancer in animalsis very similar to cancer in humans,both in cause and in response to therapy.Our research will benefit both animalsand humans.”Key features of the linear acceleratorinclude:■ Ability to adjust the strength of theproton beam to customize the treatmentof deep massesVeterinary technician Kim Janisch, veterinary radiologist Dan Feeney, and Mason, an oncology patient,display the Veterinary Medical Center’s new linear accelerator. Photo by Sue Kirchoff.■ A computerized tool called a multileafcollimator, which uses informationfrom treatment planning software toautomatically shield normal adjacenttissue from radiation, thereby lesseningthe treatment impact to surroundinghealthy tissues■ Electron capability, which will allowtreatment of skin masses while protectingdeeper tissues from exposureA fund-raising campaign, “AcceleratingHope,” is underway to offset the costof this new technology so it can benefitas many animals as possible. Corporateand private donations are being acceptedby the College of Veterinary Medicineand the University of MinnesotaFoundation. For more information, contactKatharine Anderson, developmentofficer, at 612-626-2343 or ksander@umn.edu.13