Helical Tomotherapy

The Veterinary Radiation Oncologists are working closely with members of the Department of Human Oncology and Medical Physics in the development of a novel radiation therapy machine.

This piece of equipment, helical tomotherapy, consists of a linear accelerator (a radiation therapy machine) mounted on a helical CT scanner. Helical tomotherapy allows conformal treatment of the tumor and on-line imaging during the course of treatment. In other words, the radiation treatment field can be shaped to the tumor, allowing accurate tumor treatment and avoidance of adjacent critical structures. We will treat dogs with nasal tumors using helical tomotherapy allowing complete tumor treatment and avoidance of the eyes, which are at the same anatomic level as the nasal passage.