Pet Cancer Options

Evidence-Based Treatment Guide

v2.0.0

Your dog was diagnosed with Intracranial Glioma (Astrocytoma / Oligodendroglioma). Second most common primary intracranial tumour in dogs after meningioma. Intra-axial (within brain parenchyma), making complete surgical resection generally not possible. Brachycephalic breeds are strongly predisposed. Presents with seizures, behavioural changes, neurological deficits. Compare 3 treatment options for dogs including Radiation Therapy (Definitive Fractionated or SRS/SRT), Radiation + Temozolomide, Palliative Management (Corticosteroids + Anti-Epileptics) — with survival times, costs, and what to expect during treatment.

Pet Cancer Options — Intracranial Glioma (Astrocytoma / Oligodendroglioma)

Canine Oncology Treatment Guide

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Intracranial Glioma (Astrocytoma / Oligodendroglioma)

BreedsBoxerBoston TerrierEnglish BulldogFrench BulldogStaffordshire Bull TerrierBull Terrier

canine

Neuroendocrine

About This Cancer

Gliomas are brain tumours arising from the glial cells that support and nourish the neurons. The two main types in dogs are astrocytomas (from astrocytes) and oligodendrogliomas (from oligodendrocytes). Unlike meningiomas, gliomas grow within the brain substance itself (intra-axial), making complete surgical removal generally not possible. Brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds are strikingly predisposed — Boxers, Boston Terriers, English Bulldogs, and French Bulldogs are at particularly high risk, suggesting a genetic component related to skull shape or brain development. Dogs present with seizures, personality changes, or progressive neurological deficits. Radiation therapy is the mainstay of treatment and can provide significant palliation and survival benefit. Prognosis varies by tumour grade, but the disease is ultimately progressive.

No standardised staging system

Most canine gliomas are treated based on MRI presumptive diagnosis without histological confirmation. Grading requires biopsy. Treatment decisions based on tumour size, location, MRI characteristics, and neurological status.

Prognostic Factors(3)

Subventricular zone contactTumours contacting the subventricular zone associated with significantly worse outcomes (MST 306 vs 719 days in irradiated dogs)(Rohrer Bley et al., 2022 (Vet Comp Oncol, PMID: 33900018))

Tumour gradeHigh-grade gliomas carry worse prognosis than low-grade, but reliable grading requires biopsy

Histological subtype (when biopsy obtained)Astrocytic tumours MST 743 days vs oligodendroglial tumours MST 205 days — clinically meaningful difference(Merickel et al., 2021 (Vet Pathol, PMID: 34219560))

Minimum Workup(5 steps)

1MRI of the brain (characteristic features often allow presumptive diagnosis)

2Neurological examination

3Complete blood count and biochemistry

4Thoracic imaging

5Biopsy is ideal for definitive diagnosis but often not performed due to location risk

Median Survival Time Comparison

How long the average patient survives with each treatment

Bar opacity reflects evidence strength

Radiation Therapy (Definitive Fractionated or SRS/SRT)

~14 mo (7.6–17)

Strong

$4,000–$10,000

Radiation + Temozolomide

~14 mo

Moderate

$6,000–$14,000

Palliative Management (Corticosteroids + Anti-Epileptics)

~3 mo (1–5)

Strong

$50–$200

Reading this page: MST (Median Survival Time) is how long the average patient survives with a given treatment. ORR (Overall Response Rate) is the percentage of patients whose tumour shrank or disappeared. CR = Complete Response (tumour gone); PR = Partial Response (tumour shrank). Hover over any abbreviation for a quick explanation.

Strength of Evidence

Each treatment is rated by how much published research supports its use. Solid bars indicate stronger evidence; dashed bars mean less certainty.

StrongLarge published studies with strong agreement among veterinary oncologists.

ModerateWidely used in clinical practice, but supported by smaller or retrospective studies.

IndirectEvidence comes from a different tumour type or species and has been applied here.

LimitedVery little published data is available for this specific treatment.

Please note: All treatment data is sourced from published peer-reviewed literature. Survival times and cost figures are approximate guides. Your pet's individual factors — including tumour grade, stage, and overall health — will influence outcomes and should guide all treatment decisions. The strength-of-evidence rating reflects how much research exists, not how strongly a treatment is recommended. This tool is designed to help you have informed conversations with your veterinary oncologist, not to replace them. Costs shown are US referral centre estimates and may vary significantly by region.