Contact: Tania Banak, University Relations Specialist
608/263-6716, banakt@svm.vetmed.wisc.edu
Date issued: March 18, 2008
MADISON -- On March 17, 2008, Governor Jim Doyle signed a bill that authorizes construction of a new TomoTherapy facility at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine.
TomoTherapy is a unique combination of radiation treatment and a helical CT scanner that offers superior tumor control while sparing sensitive surrounding tissues.
Pet dogs with nasal tumors (which are especially sensitive to treat because they are close to the dog's eyes and brain) were the first clinical patients to benefit from the new TomoTherapy technology, a targeted and minimally invasive approach to cancer radiation therapy. Based on excellent results from these initial trials in dogs, which were conducted in Madison, Wisconsin, TomoTherapy is now being adopted in human hospitals nationwide.
“This will be the only TomoTherapy unit in use for veterinary medicine,” says Dr. David Vail, an oncologist at the School of Veterinary Medicine. “People are willing to travel a great distance for more effective and less toxic treatment for their pets. When we participated in the initial trials for this technology, we drew clients from all over North America.”
His colleague Dr. Lisa Forrest, a radiologist at the school, adds, “We will be able to do state-of-the-art therapy for pets and prolong their lives.”
The goal is for construction to begin by April 2009, with occupancy by August 2010. While the construction project will be privately funded, it still needed legislative approval to move forward. The bill was introduced into the legislature by Rep. Jake Hines and Sen. Fred Risser.
Del Coufal, vice president of marketing at TomoTherapy Incorporated noted, “It’s exciting to think about the clinical treatment possibilities, as well as the cancer care advancements, that will be made possible by combining the world’s premiere radiotherapy solution with such a well-recognized and outstanding veterinary institution.”
New ways ways of applying the technology could benefit humans because dog cancers are similar to human cancers.
The School is continuing to raise funds to pay for the project. Individuals or companies that would like to donate can contact the school’s Office for Advancement at 608/265-9692.