Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital houses an Elekta Versa HD. This machine (called a linear accelerator) will allow Wheat Ridge to offer the most innovative radiotherapy options. These advanced treatments include Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), Volumetric arc therapy (VMAT), Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) [also termed stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT), Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT)], and electron beam therapy.
Importantly, the Elekta Versa HD is extremely versatile. In some instances, linear accelerators can be overly “techy”. The requirement by some linear accelerators to use advanced technology can inhibit delivery of more basic radiation plans and can subsequently prevent delivery of the optimal plan for the patient. Not every radiation plan requires contemporary technology. In some instances, advanced radiation plans are unnecessary. Further, some advanced plans may not be in patient’s best interest. The ability to provide elemental radiation plans means a broader range of diseases can be treated, treatments can be scheduled more quickly, and in some instances, financial commitment can be substantially reduced.
Different than surgery, radiation can also be used as an adjunct to chemotherapy to treat some systemic cancers, like lymphoma.
Further, in low doses, radiation is a very potent anti-inflammatory. Radiation can be used to treat non-cancerous inflammatory processes that are refractory to medications and surgical intervention. This can include severe osteoarthritis, severe chronic rhinitis, granulomatous meningo-encephalomyelitis, and recurrent sialoceles.
Radiation has a pretty bad reputation because of many people’s direct or indirect experience with “radiation burn”. It’s important to understand that radiation is not always painful, and in many instances, radiation can help improve cancer pain. It all depends on owner goals. Are we treating to achieve longevity? Are we treating solely for quality of life? Or are we trying to achieve a middle ground? There are a variety of protocols available and they can often be somewhat tailored to an individual patient and owner goals.
- Brain tumors
- Pituitary tumors
- Nerve sheath tumors (trigeminal)
- Nasal tumors
- Mast cell tumors
- Soft tissue sarcoma
- Bone and joint tumors
- Anal sac tumors
- Lung tumors
- Injection site sarcoma
- Oral tumors
- Liver tumors
- Thyroid tumors
- Bladder/prostate tumors
Veterinary Radiation Oncologist
Medical Physicist
Elekta Versa HD

