Study explores non-invasive cancer treatment for dogs and cats

A pilot study co-authored by UNIC’s School of Veterinary Medicine Clinical Assistant Professor Kyriakos Spanoudes has tested focused ultrasound (FUS) technology for treating tumours in dogs and cats. The research, published in the Journal of Ultrasound, examined the safety and feasibility of this technology as an alternative to traditional cancer treatments for companion animals.

The study involved 15 dogs and cats with various types of tumours located on different parts of their bodies, including mammary tumours, sarcomas, and lipomas. Researchers used an ultrasound system to deliver targeted treatments to the tumours. The treatment proved safe for all animals, and tissue examination confirmed that the focused ultrasound successfully destroyed the targeted tumour areas.

Spanoudes said: ‘This study demonstrates that focused ultrasound can be safely used for treating various types of tumours in dogs and cats. The treatment was well-tolerated by the animals and effectively targeted the tumour tissue while preserving surrounding healthy areas. This technology offers significant benefits as it is non-invasive and allows for shorter recovery times compared to traditional surgical approaches’.

Working with co-researchers from the Cyprus University of Technology,  Antria Filippou, Nikolas Evripidou, and Christakis Damianou, the team concluded that focused ultrasound shows potential as a therapeutic approach for veterinary cancer patients and contributes to expanding treatment options in veterinary oncology.