Page 10 - ARNM-2-3

Advances in Radiotherapy
& Nuclear Medicine Integrating pet nutrition with radiotherapy and nuclear medicine

Radiotherapy, a key cancer treatment in both human healthy tissue. The efficacy of radiotherapy relies on its
and veterinary medicine, utilizes ionizing radiation to ability to administer therapeutic levels of radiation while
target and destroy cancer cells while sparing surrounding minimizing harm to healthy tissues. Prior studies have
healthy tissue. However, the effectiveness of radiotherapy shown that nutrition plays a crucial role in enhancing
depends on delivering therapeutic doses of radiation while patient health and resilience against radiation effects.
minimizing damage to normal tissues. In this context, the Consuming nutritious food boosts the immune system,
importance of nutrition in optimizing patient health and improves tissue healing, and reduces treatment-related
resilience is paramount. High-quality nutrition supports side effects, which helps patients adhere to their treatment
4
immune function, enhances tissue repair mechanisms, plans and achieve better results. 7,8
and mitigates treatment-associated side effects, thereby Research has emphasized the significance of nutritional
facilitating adherence to treatment protocols and management for dogs undergoing radiation therapy. One
9
improving treatment outcomes. Similarly, nuclear medicine study reported that proper dietary management resulted
techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) in better outcomes in terms of weight maintenance and
and targeted radionuclide therapies offer valuable tools for enhanced treatment tolerance. Similarly, research on cats
6
both diagnostic imaging and therapeutic intervention in has shown that specific dietary supplements can reduce the
veterinary oncology. Integrating nutrition into nuclear severity of radiation-induced mucositis, thereby improving
5
medicine protocols can enhance diagnostic accuracy, their quality of life during treatment. 10
enhance radiotracer uptake, and improve treatment
efficacy. Pre-imaging dietary modifications aimed at The field of veterinary oncology has conducted
standardizing physiological conditions can minimize prior studies on the relationship between nutrition and
variability and improve the reliability of nuclear imaging nuclear medicine. Nuclear medicine techniques such as
studies, whereas targeted nutritional interventions can PET and tailored radionuclide therapy are vital tools for
mitigate radiation-induced toxicity and enhance the both diagnostic imaging and therapeutic intervention.
therapeutic efficacy of radionuclide therapies. The synergy Integrating nutrition into nuclear medicine protocols
between pet nutrition and advanced medical interventions can potentially boost diagnostic accuracy, increase
in veterinary oncology underscores the importance of a radiotracer uptake, and enhance therapeutic effectiveness.
multidisciplinary approach to patient care. Collaborative Dietary adjustments before imaging can help normalize
efforts among veterinarians, nutritionists, oncologists, and physiological conditions, reduce variability, and improve
nuclear medicine specialists are essential for developing the reliability of nuclear imaging studies.
evidence-based nutritional protocols tailored to the unique A study investigating how fasting and certain dietary
needs of each patient. Furthermore, ongoing research into interventions affect radiotracer absorption in dogs revealed
the interplay between nutrition and cancer treatment will that well-regulated dietary conditions can significantly
pave the way for innovative therapeutic strategies and improve imaging results. In addition, research on the
11
personalized medicine. impact of omega-3 fatty acids has shown that these dietary
In conclusion, integrating pet nutrition with components can reduce the harmful effects of radiation
radiotherapy and nuclear medicine represents a pivotal and improve the outcomes of radionuclide therapy. 12
advancement in veterinary oncology, offering new avenues 1.2. Contribution of the current review
to improve treatment efficacy and patient outcomes. By
6
recognizing the interconnectedness of nutrition with other Building on previous studies, the present review aims to
facets of cancer management, veterinarians can provide clarify how pet nutrition can be optimized to support
13
comprehensive, patient-centered care that addresses animals undergoing advanced cancer treatments. This
the complex needs of companion animals with cancer. review focuses on understanding the combined effects of
7
Continued research, education, and collaboration will be contemporary nutritional practices, advanced radiation,
crucial in maximizing this synergy and advancing the field and nuclear medicine procedures. The primary objective
of veterinary oncology. is to develop scientifically supported nutritional guidelines
that optimize treatment effectiveness, reduce negative side
1.1. Review of prior studies on nutrition and effects, and promote the general well-being of companion
radiotherapy in the field of veterinary oncology animals with cancer. 14

Radiotherapy has long been a fundamental aspect of The combination of pet nutrition with radiotherapy
cancer treatment in both human and veterinary medicine. and nuclear medicine is a significant breakthrough in
It employs ionizing radiation to specifically target and veterinary oncology. This integration provides new
eliminate cancer cells while minimizing damage to nearby opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of treatment

Volume 2 Issue 3 (2024) 2 doi: 10.36922/arnm.3522