Canine Digital Tumors: A Veterinary Cooperative Oncology Group Retrospective Study of 64 Dogs

Abstract

We compared clinical characteristics and outcomes for dogs with various digital tumors. Medical records and histology specimens of affected dogs from 9 veterinary institutions were reviewed. Risk factors examined included age, weight, sex, tumor site (hindlimb or forelimb), local tumor (T) stage, metastases, tumor type, and treatment modality. The Kaplan-Meier product limit method was used to determine the effect of postulated risk factors on local disease-free interval (LDFI), metastasis-free interval (MFI), and survival time (ST). Outcomes were thought to differ significantly between groups when P .003. Sixty-four dogs were included. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) accounted for 33 (51.6%) of the tumors. Three dogs presented with or developed multiple digital SCC. Other diagnoses included malignant melanoma (MM) (n 10; 15.6%), osteosarcoma (OSA) (n 4; 6.3%), hemangioperi-cytoma (n 3; 4.7%), benign soft tissue tumors (n 5; 7.8%), and malignant soft tissue tumors (n 9; 14%). Fourteen dogs with malignancies had black hair coats, including 5 of the 10 dogs with MM. Surgery was the most common treatment and, regardless of the procedure, had a positive impact on survival. None of the patient variables assessed, including age, sex, tumor type, site, and stage, had a significant impact on ST. Both LDFI and MFI were negatively affected by higher T stage, but not by type of malignancy. Although metastasis at diagnosis correlated with a shorter LDFI, it did not have a significant impact on ST. On the basis of these findings, early surgical intervention is advised for the treatment of dogs with digital tumors, regardless of tumor type or the presence of metastatic disease.

Xenogeneic Murine Tyrosinase DNA Vaccine for Malignant Melanoma of the Digit of Dogs

“…Melanoma is the 2nd most common tumor affecting the digit. [1][2][3] Melanomas of the digit, specifically those of nail bed origin, often have multiple histopathologic criteria of malignancy. 4,5 While histologic features have not been strongly correlated with outcome in dogs with digit malignant melanoma, these tumors commonly display a high degree of local invasiveness and a high metastatic propensity.…”

“…4,5 Upon diagnosis, the metastatic rate is 32-40% and subsequent local and distant metastasis after amputation of the digit is a common occurrence. 2,3 Dogs treated with surgery (digit amputation or lumpectomy) alone have survival times of approximately 12 months. 2,6 The 1-and 2-year survival rates are 42-57 and 11-36%, respectively.…”

DNA Mediated Vaccines Delivery Through Nanoparticles

“…Canine malignant melanoma (CMM) is one of highly aggressive neoplasm which can quickly spread to visceral organs and lymph nodes. [38][39][40][41][42][43] In this DNA vaccine, plasmid DNA is incorporated with xenogeneic melanosomal differentiation antigens and it is approved conditionally. Various clinical trials were performed for evaluation of its immune responses before approval.…”

Prospective clinical trial of masitinib mesylate treatment for advanced stage III and IV canine malignant melanoma

“…Melanoma is the most common cancer of the oral cavity and second most common cancer of the sub-ungual region in dogs (Modiano et al 1999, Wobeser et al 2007. While dermal melanomas are usually benign and often cured by surgical excision in dogs, mucosal, muco-cutaneous and ungual melanomas are aggressive tumours with a high rate of metastasis to the locoregional lymph nodes and pulmonary parenchyma (Modiano et al 1999, Henry et al 2005, Wobeser et al 2007. While surgery and /or radiotherapy may be effective in the local control of the disease, effective systemic treatments for advanced malignant melanoma are lacking and survival is about 1 to 3 months (Bostock 1979, Proulx et al 2003, Brockley et al 2013, Ottnod et al 2013, Boston et al 2014, Tuohy et al 2014.…”