Association between Body Condition Score and Cancer Prognosis in Dogs with Lymphoma and Osteosarcoma

Abstract

BackgroundIn humans and rodents obesity appears to promote some cancers by increasing incidence, tumor aggressiveness, recurrence, and fatality. However, the relationship between obesity and cancer in dogs has not been thoroughly evaluated.Hypothesis/ObjectivesWhether body condition score (BCS) at the time of lymphoma (LSA) or osteosarcoma (OSA) diagnosis in dogs is predictive of survival time (ST) or progression‐free interval (PFI). We hypothesized that an overweight body state at the time of cancer diagnosis would be associated with negative outcomes.AnimalsDogs with LSA (n = 270) and OSA (n = 54) diagnosed and treated between 2000 and 2010.MethodsRetrospective case review. Signalment, body weight, BCS, cancer diagnosis and treatment, relevant clinicopathologic values, and survival data were collected. Dogs were grouped by BCS (underweight, ideal, and overweight) and ST and PFI were compared.ResultsOverall, 5.5% of dogs were underweight, 54.0% were ideal weight, and 40.4% were overweight at diagnosis. Underweight dogs with LSA had shorter ST (P = .017) than ideal or overweight dogs. BCS was not associated with ST for OSA (P = .474). Progression‐free interval did not differ among BCS categories for either cancer.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceObesity was not associated with adverse outcomes among dogs with LSA or OSA in this retrospective study; however, being underweight at the time of diagnosis of LSA was associated with shorter survival. More research is needed to elucidate the relationship between excessive body weight and cancer development and progression in dogs.

The animal-dependent risk factors in canine osteosarcomas

“…However, it has also been postulated that large size of adult animals and tall shoulder height is a more reliable predictive factor for the development of OSA than dog's breed (Rosenberg et al 2007, Eberle et al 2010, Kruse et al 2012, Rehbun et al 2016. In most studies male dogs are slightly more often affected with OSA than females (Spodnick et al 1992, Romano et al 2016, although there are publications which contradict this statement (Eberle et al 2010, Anfinsen et al 2011, Coyle et al 2013, Fenger et al 2014, Nagamine et al 2015. It was also suggested that in Rottweilers, Saint Bernards and Great Danes females suffer more commonly than males (Morello et al 2011).…”

“…The mean age of dogs with OSA has been shown to range from 6 to 9 years (Anfinsen et al 2011, Romano et al 2016. Some studies have also implied that the age distribution of dogs with OSA has two peaks: the first between 18-24 months, and the second between 7-10 years, however, the majority of skeletal OSAs in dogs occur in the latter period (Dernall et al 2007, Culp et al 2014, Fanger et al 2014, Nagamine et al 2015.…”

“…It is probably a result of differences in genetic diversity of dogs in various countries, however the influence of environmental factors and the attitude of the dogs' owners to performing cytological or histopathological tests should also be included. Compared to other studies we enrolled fewer mongrels -11% vs. 20-30% (Culp et al 2014, Nagamine et al 2015, Romano et al 2016. Even though, genetic diversity in dogs' population in various geographic regions could play its role, the owners of mongrels might be less committed in diagnostic process and economic aspect might affect the study population.…”

“…Al. 2012, Dobson 2013, Culp et al 2014, Fanger et al 2014, Romano et al 2016). An important discrepancy is lack of predilection of German shepherds and Labradors in the present study.…”

“…This highly malignant tumor is a suitable model for OSA in humans due to similarities in biological behaviour, common molecular features, sharing the same environment, and last but not least, relatively high incidence in dogs (Morello et al 2011, Fenger et al Correspondence to: R. Sapierzyński, e-mail: rafal -sapierzynski@sggw.pl, tel. : +48 22 593 61 53 Shepherds, Borzoi, Leonberger, and Greyhounds are consistently mentioned (Thompson and Pool 2002, Morello et al 2011, Dobson 2013, Culp et al 2014, Fanger et al 2014, Romano et al 2016. The most common location for canine OSA is the appendicular skeleton, whereas axial bones are less often affected.…”