Gastric carcinoma in canines and humans,a review

Gastric carcinoma (GC) is the most common neoplasm in the stomach of dogs. Although incidence in the general population is reported to be low, breed‐specific GC has a high incidence. Median age at presentation ranges from 8 to approximately 10 years. The disease is mostly located in the lesser curvature and antropyloric region of the stomach. Unfortunately, diagnosis is usually made when the disease is at an advanced stage and, therefore, prognosis is poor. Due to similarities in clinical presentation, diagnosis, histology and prognosis, canine GC may serve as a valuable model for human GC. Extensive pedigrees of canine gastric carcinoma cases could reveal insights for human gastric carcinoma. Putative species differences include the role of Helicobacter in pathogenesis, the wide array of genetic data and screening available for humans, and treatment protocols that are available for human GC.     

A prospective evaluation of the impact of second‐opinion histopathology on diagnostic testing,cost and treatment in dogs and cats with cancer

Second‐opinion histopathology is a common practice in human medicine to avoid unnecessary procedures, costs and to optimize therapy. Histopathology review has been recommended in veterinary oncology as well. In this prospective evaluation of 52 tumours over a 1‐year period, there was diagnostic agreement between first and second opinions in 52% of cases. Twenty‐nine percent of cases had partial diagnostic disagreement, most often a change in grade, tumour subtype or margin status. Nineteen percent had complete diagnostic disagreement, including a change in cell of origin or a change from benign to malignant. Minor disagreements, which would not affect treatment or prognosis, were present in 21% of cases. Major disagreements, which would affect either treatment or prognosis, were present in 37% of cases. Costs of ideal staging and treatment recommendations were considerably different between first and second opinions.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—PARAGANGLIOMA OF THE CAUDA EQUINA: MR FINDINGS

The magnetic resonance imaging features of a cauda equina paraganglioma in a 5‐year‐old dog are described. Imaging revealed a well‐defined, strongly contrast‐enhancing mass invading the adjacent vertebral body and infiltrating the intervertebral foramen bilaterally. Flow void, compatible with increased drainage veins around the mass, and macroscopically visible neovessels in contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance angiography, as reported in numerous human studies, were not visible in this single case. The tumor recurred despite aggressive surgery and radiotherapy. This neoplasm should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cauda equina abnormalities in dogs.     

Angiofibroma of the nasal cavity in 13 dogs

This case series describes a rare entity, nasal angiofibroma, in 13 dogs that were presented to the University of Wisconsin, School of Veterinary Medicine from 1988 to 2000. All dogs in this case series presented with clinical signs and radiographic changes that were strongly suggestive of a locally invasive neoplasm. However, histopathology completed on transnostral core biopsy samples revealed benign appearing vascular proliferation with secondary lymphosuppurative inflammation was established despite cytologic criteria of malignancy present in five dogs. On the basis of the outcomes in this case series, nasal angiofibroma should be considered a differential for dogs presenting with clinical signs consistent with a malignant nasal tumour.     

Outcome following treatment of soft tissue and visceral extraskeletal osteosarcoma in 33 dogs: 2008–2013

Extraskeletal osteosarcoma (EOS) is a rare, highly malignant mesenchymal neoplasm arising from viscera or soft tissues characterised by the formation of osteoid in the absence of bone involvement. Owing to the rarity of these neoplasms very little information exists on treatment outcomes. The purpose of this study was to describe the outcome following surgical treatment of non‐mammary and non‐thyroidal soft tissue and visceral EOS in dogs. Thirty‐three dogs were identified; the most common primary tumour site was the spleen. Dogs that had wide or radical tumour excision had longer survival times compared with dogs that had only marginal tumour excision performed [median survival time of 90 days (range: 0–458 days) versus median survival time of 13 days (range: 0–20 days)]. The use of surgery should be considered in the management of dogs with non‐mammary and non‐thyroidal soft tissue and visceral EOS.     

Cytological lymph node evaluation in dogs with mast cell tumours: association with grade and survival*

The purpose of this retrospective cohort study is to describe the association of cytological assessment of lymph node metastasis with survival and tumour grade in dogs with mast cell tumours. Regional lymph node aspirates of 152 dogs diagnosed with a mast cell tumour were reviewed and classified according to specific cytological criteria for staging. 97 dogs (63.8%) had stage I tumours, and 55 (36.2%) had stage II tumours. Stage II dogs had a significantly shorter survival time than dogs with stage I disease (0.8 and 6.2 years, respectively; P < 0.0001). Dogs with grade III mast cell tumours were more likely to have stage II disease (P = 0.004). These results suggest that cytological evaluation of lymph nodes in dogs with mast cell tumours provides useful and valuable clinical information, and the results correlate with tumour grade and outcome thus providing a practical and non‐invasive method for staging.     

The use of novel lymphatic endothelial cell‐specific immunohistochemical markers to differentiate cutaneous angiosarcomas in dogs

Lymphangiosarcomas are uncommon vascular neoplasms that arise from lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs). They efface and replace normal subcutaneous tissue and are characterised by arborising, vascular channels lined by a single layer of pleomorphic endothelial cells and a paucity of erythrocytes. Lymphangiosarcomas are architecturally similar to hemangiosarcomas, a common malignancy of vascular origin arising from blood vascular endothelial cells. Common immunohistochemical markers for vascular endothelium, such as Factor VIII‐related antigen (F8RA) and CD31, have traditionally been used to confirm the diagnosis of tumours of vascular origin. However, these markers fail to differentiate between lymphangiosarcoma and hemangiosarcoma, which often show overlapping morphologic features, disparate clinical behaviour and require different treatment modalities. Here we describe the use of two novel LEC‐specific markers, lymphatic vessel endothelial receptor‐1 (LYVE‐1) and prospero‐related homeobox gene‐1 (PROX‐1), to further differentiate between vascular tumours of lymphatic (lymphangiosarcoma) and blood (hemangiosarcoma) endothelial cell origin in the dog.     

A comparison of total calcium,corrected calcium,and ionized calcium concentrations as indicators of calcium homeostasis among hypoalbuminemic dogs requiring intensive care

Objective – (1) To evaluate whether total calcium (tCa) correlates with ionized calcium (iCa) in hypoalbuminemic dogs; (2) to evaluate whether calcium adjusted for albumin (Alb), or total protein (TP), or both accurately predict iCa concentrations and hence can be used to monitor calcium homeostasis in critically ill hypoalbuminemic dogs; and (3) to evaluate factors associated with any potential discrepancy in calcium classification between corrected total and ionized values. Design – Prospective observational clinical study. Setting – Small animal intensive care unit in a veterinary medical teaching hospital. Animals – Twenty‐eight client‐owned dogs with hypoalbuminemia. Interventions – None. Measurements and Main Results – iCa was determined using ion‐specific electrode methodology, on heparinized plasma. The tCa concentration was adjusted for Alb and TP using published equations. In total 29% (8/28) of the hypoalbuminemic, critically ill dogs in this study were hypocalcemic at intensive care unit admission, as determined by iCa measurement. Corrected calcium values failed to accurately classify calcium status in 67.9% and 64.3% of cases, according to whether the Alb‐adjusted or TP‐adjusted values, respectively, were used. The sensitivity and specificity of the tCa to evaluate hypocalcemia was 100% and 47%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the correction formulae were 37.5% and 79% for the Alb‐adjusted values and 37.5% and 74% for TP‐adjusted values. tCa overestimated the presence of hypocalcemia and underestimated the presence of normocalcemia, while corrected calcium values overestimated the presence of normocalcemia and underestimated the presence of hypocalcemia. Conclusions – Calcium homeostasis in hypoalbuminemic critically ill dogs should be evaluated by iCa concentrations rather than tCa or calcium adjusted for Alb or TP. Given that tCa has 100% sensitivity for detecting hypocalcemia in this population it is recommended that all hypoalbuminemic and critically ill patients with low tCa should be evaluated with an iCa measurement.     

Incidence of presenting complaints and diagnoses in insured Australian dogs

Knowledge of the most common presenting complaints and diagnoses in companion animals is valuable in preparing veterinary students and veterinarians to manage the most frequently observed conditions in clinical practice. Pet insurance databases provide access to large sample populations and have been previously used to describe disease incidence in companion animals. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of presenting complaints and diagnoses in insured Australian dogs through the use of a pet insurance database. Analysis of a de-identified dataset containing pet insurance claims associated with presenting complaints and diagnoses from 488,472 insured Australian dogs insured in the years 2016 and 2017, was performed. Annual incidence rates of presenting complaints and diagnoses were calculated and expressed as, number of events per 1,000 dog years at risk. The presenting complaints with the highest incidence were vomiting (14.21 events per 1,000 dog years at risk in 2016, 15.80 events per 1,000 dog years at risk in 2017) and pruritus (8.79 events per 1,000 dog years at risk in 2016, 10.30 events per 1,000 dog years at risk in 2017). Presenting complaints affecting the gastrointestinal system were the most common (19.20 events per 1,000 dog years at risk in 2016, 20.77 events per 1,000 dog years at risk in 2017). The diagnoses with the highest incidence were otitis externa (34.12 events per 1,000 dog years at risk in 2016, 34.82 events per 1,000 dog years at risk in 2017) and dermatitis (28.05 events per 1,000 dog years at risk in 2016, 29.99 events per 1,000 dog years at risk in 2017). Diagnoses affecting the integument were the most common (216.56 events per 1,000 dog years at risk in 2016, 219.06 events per 1,000 dog years at risk in 2017). The results from this study can aid in the design of relevant veterinary curricula and may be helpful in prioritising research on common clinical conditions.     

Long‐term outcomes with conventional fractionated and stereotactic radiotherapy for suspected heart‐base tumours in dogs

Published radiotherapy results for suspected heart‐based tumours in dogs are limited. In this retrospective longitudinal study (3/2014‐2019), eight dogs with either clinical signs attributable to a heart‐base mass (6), or asymptomatic with a progressively larger mass on echocardiogram (2), received conventional fractionated radiotherapy (CFRT) or stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). Clinical findings in symptomatic cases included one or more of the following: retching/coughing (4), exercise intolerance (2), collapse (1), pericardial effusion (2), rare ventricular premature contractions (2), abdominal effusion (1), or respiratory distress due to chylothorax (1). CFRT cases received 50 Gray (Gy) in 20 fractions and SBRT cases received 30 Gy in 5 or 24 Gy in three fractions. Two dogs received chemotherapy post‐radiation. At analysis, 7/8 dogs were deceased and one was alive 684 days post‐treatment. The estimated median overall survival (MOS) from first treatment was 785 days (95% CI 114‐868 days, [range 114‐1492 days]). Five dogs received CFRT (MOS 817 days; (95% CI 155 days‐not reached [range 155‐1492 days])). Three dogs received SBRT with one alive at analysis (MOS 414 days, (95% CI, 114 days‐not reached [range 114‐414 days])). No statistically significant difference was found between survival for CFRT and SBRT. Of the symptomatic patients, 5/6 showed improvement. Mass size reduced in 4/5 cases receiving follow‐up ultrasounds. Possible complications included asymptomatic radiation pneumonitis (4), atrial tachycardia/premature beats (4) and pericardial effusion with heart failure coincident with tumour progression (1). This study provides preliminary evidence that radiotherapy may impact clinically relevant or progressively enlarging heart‐base masses.     

Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in humans and dogs

Objective: To describe the clinical appearance and theories on the pathogenesis of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in humans, and to review the evidence suggesting that a similar syndrome occurs in critically ill dogs. Human‐based studies: Currently, there are a multitude of publications describing the pathogenesis and clinical course of MODS in humans. Providing much of the basis for on‐going research and the development of clinical applications, a consensus statement made by the American College of Chest Physicians and Society of Critical Care Medicine defined parameters that had guided and shaped much of what is known about MODS. Veterinary‐based studies: To date, there are few publications describing MODS in dogs and much of what is known has been derived from case reports and reviews of various critical illnesses in dogs. While a similar syndrome of multiple organ dysfunction likely exists in dogs, a consensus statement defining clinical parameters has not been made. Data sources: Veterinary and human literature review. Conclusions: The development of MODS in human critical illness is widely recognized and major strides have been made in the understanding of this complex syndrome. Scoring schemes applied to human MODS patients have established that with increasing numbers of failing organs, there is a worse prognosis. As a similar finding likely exists in dogs, an awareness of MODS is vital to veterinary critical care clinicians and a consensus definition of MODS in dogs is warranted.     

动物病理学的研究现状与展望

动物病理学是基础兽医学和临床兽医学的桥梁。免疫学和分子生物学等学科的快速发展为动物病理学的发展提供了良好的契机。根据目前动物病理学的现状 ,提出了学科的细化和综合的观点 ,并对该学科的可持续性发展进行了展望