Dog gets a skull printed in 3D after a cancer surgery

ONTARIO, Canada – Doctors have successfully replaced part of the skull of a 9-year-old dog with a 3D-printed titanium plate after removing a cancerous tumor.

A 9-year-old dachshund patch had a tumor that grew near his brain and orbit.

The doctors created the plaque to replace 70% of his skull that had been removed with the tumor.

She is now without cancer.

"The technology has grown so fast and being able to offer this incredible, personalized and state-of-the-art plaque to one of our canine patients was truly amazing," said Dr. Michelle Oblak. Veterinary College of Ontario with Dr. Galina Hayes of Cornell University.

The researchers say that they are examining dogs as a model of cancer disease in humans, hoping to use 3D printed implants to treat human patients.