Further Radiation Oncology Information

Positive steps towards development of Radiation Oncology in Europe

2023

We are delighted to share that the Radiation Oncology Subspecialty, shared between ECVDI and ECVIM-CA [Oncol], has been approved by EBVS, on the 28th of April, replacing the add on Radiation Oncology Programme.

We are pleased to be able to offer a standard radiation oncology training programme within the framework of the EBVS now.

The road to approval has been long, and we are extremely grateful to the ROECC for their hard work on this: Randi Drees, Jane Dobson, Jerome Benoit, and Sarah Mason. Thanks also to colleagues in both colleges as well as the EBVS liaisons who have supported this endeavour.

This is a huge positive step in the development of Radiation Oncology and ultimately its own College.

2020

• Juan Carlos-Serra is the second trainee of the add on Radiation Oncology to successfully pass the certifying examination after completing his training under the guidance of Dr Magda Parys DiplECVDI add on RadOnc, DipACVR at Edinburgh! Well done! 

2019 

• At the April Annual General Meeting of the EBVS the development of the subspeciality of Radiation Oncology over the next two years was approved. Please refer to this website for further updates, as they will become available. For specific queries, please contact Randi Drees, ECVDI Chair ROECC, at chair_roecc@ecvdi.eu
• At the annual EVDI meeting, Prof Barbara Kaser Hotz's lecture on oncological imaging as well as Nadia Pfamatters lecture on diagnostic imaging of nasopharyngeal and auricular tumors in the resident course programme was well received. Prof Kaser Hotz further contributed to the conference by delivering a master class titled: 'When Do We Stop? Ethical Approach To The Oncological Patient When Imaging Reveals Advanced Cancer', emphasizing the importance of ethics and animal welfare concepts when treating animal patients with cancer. The abstract sessions on radiation protection and oncologic imaging stream were well attended and very informative. 

2018 

• Two further training programmes for the Radiation Oncology add on programme have been approved, at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh, led by Dr Magda Parys, DiplECVDI add on RadOnc, DipACVR, and at the Vetsuisse Faculty at the University of Zurich, led by Dr Carla Rohrer-Bley, DiplECVDI add on RadOnc, DipACVR. 
• Sarah Mason, the first trainee in the add on Radiation Oncology program, successfully passed the certifying examination! Well done! 

2017 

• We are pleased to congratulate Philip Schwarz for winning the prestigious Wim Misdorp Award at the ESVONC meeting in Lyon last month for the best clinical research abstract presentation by a Resident or Junior Research Fellow. Philip Schwarz presented his abstract entitled “Keeping up with technological advancement – A novel radiation protocol in a pilot cohort of 44 dogs with symptomatic intracranial neoplasia” describing how increased treatment accuracy resulted in a novel protocol comprising 10 x 4 Gy fractions (in 18 dogs) achieving equivalent outcomes in terms of overall survival and PFI without increased toxicity compared to a cohort of 26 dogs treated with a more traditional 20 x 2.5G protocol. This work was supported by the team at University of Zurich, headed by Carla Roher-Bley and including Valeria Meier, Randi Drees, Jurgen Besserer and Malgorzata Roos.

Four other abstracts (out of a total of 24 abstract / poster presentations) were radiation-based with topics including:

“Tolerability of simultaneously integrated boost technique for canine sino-nasal tumors using image-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy”, by Alena Levova and the team at Zurich. Alena described how increased accuracy provided by intensity-modulated radiation therapy allowed delivery of a simultaneous ‘boost’ dose of radiation to the gross treatment volume (GTV) in canine sinonasal tumors with acceptable side-effects.

“Stereotactic irradiation of canine ACTH-secreting pituitary macro-tumours: endocrine and MRI time-related patterns of response” by Mario Dolera & Italian group. A study showing that a protocol of 3.8 Gy x 10 fractions delivered to pituitary macro-tumors by frameless stereotactic Volumetric Arc Therapy achieved both tumour and endocrine control in dogs suffering from pituitary hyperadrenocorticism.

“Volumetric Modulated Arc Radiotherapy of canine trigeminal nerve tumours”. Luca Malfassi, Mario Dolera, Italy. This poster reported how the same volumetric modulated arc technique was feasible and effective in dogs suffering from trigeminal nerve tumors.

“Radiation versus combined radiation and chemotherapy in the treatment of canine histiocytic sarcoma in the gross disease setting”. Charles Pittaway, Cambridge group. A study demonstrating that radiotherapy offers effective palliation for appendicular HS and that outcomes

• At the annual EVDI meeting, held in Verona, Italy, a dedicated tumor imaging/radiation therapy session was held, and enjoyed great attendance. Two radiation therapy keynote lectures were held,  by Prof Carla Rohrer-Bley, DiplECVDI add on, DACVR-RO, 'Tumor staging systems in small animals: impact of diagnostic imaging on radiation therapy treatment choice and prognosis', and  Prof Giovanni Frezza  'Standard of care in the management of brains tumors in humans: the place of radiotherapy among other modalities, principles of contouring, planning and follow-up' 

2016 

The Cancer Therapy Unit QVSH, University of Cambridge is the first Veterinary Radiation centre in Europe approved by the European Colleges of Diagnostic Imaging (ECVDI) and Internal Medicine (ECVIM) for the add on Training Programme in Veterinary Radiation Oncology and have the first trainee registered. The programme is led by Dr Jane Dobson, DiplECVIM (CA) [Oncol] add on RadOnc.