Epidemiology, clinical and cytological features of lymphoma in Boxer dogs

The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology, clinical and laboratory characteristics of canine lymphomas as well as some aspects of treatment outcomes. The study was conducted on Boxer dogs with lymphoma diagnosed by cytology and immunocytochemistry (CD3 and CD79 alpha). During the study period, lymphoma was diagnosed in 63 Boxers; 86.8% were T-cell (based on the Kiel classification: small clear cell lymphoma, pleomorphic small cell lymphoma, pleomorphic mixed T-cell lymphoma, pleomorphic large T-cell lymphoma, lymphoblastic lymphoma/acute lymphoblastic leukaemia) and 13.2% were B-cell lymphomas (according to the Kiel classification: B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, centroblastic/centroblastic polymorphic lymphoma). Overall survival (OS) was significantly longer in dogs with low-grade than with high-grade lymphoma (median OS of 6.8 and 4.7 months, respectively; P = 0.024). OS was not influenced by WHO clinical stage, WHO clinical substage, presence of splenomegaly, early administration of glucocorticoids or the time from the first presentation to the beginning of chemotherapy. There are no significant differences in clinical and laboratory parameters between low-grade and high-grade lymphomas. Boxer dogs are predisposed to T-cell lymphoma, with a predominance of high-grade tumour, especially pleomorphic, mixed small and large T-cell subtype. It is possible that Boxer dogs may respond less favourably to chemotherapy than patients of other breeds

Epidemiological and pathological features of primary cardiac tumours in dogs from Poland in 1970–2014

Primary heart tumours affect less than 1% of dogs. Due to their rare incidence, every research showing the frequency of cardiac tumours is valuable. Routine diagnostics is often complemented with immunohistochemical analysis. This study was conducted on 110 patient records from all veterinary faculties in Poland from dogs diagnosed with heart tumours between 1970 and 2014. The dogs’ age, breed and sex with tumour localisation and histopathological diagnosis were analysed. Because of its most common incidence, samples of haemangiosarcoma underwent further examination with assessment of the expression of cell markers that have not been evaluated earlier (i.e. minichromosome maintenance proteins and beta-catenin). We noted 111 tumours including 88.3% malignant and 10.8% benign ones. Haemangiosarcoma and aortic body tumour were the most frequent cardiac neoplasms in the dogs examined (45.9% and 27.9% of all tumours, respectively). Immunohistochemical analysis of haemangiosarcoma showed a positive expression of all markers examined. CD31, vimentin, and beta-catenin showed a positive reaction in all 11 samples examined. At least one proliferative marker (Ki-67, MCM-3 or MCM-7) showed a positive reaction in each sample. MCM-3 showed a higher expression than the two other proliferative markers (P = 0.006), but only Ki-67 showed a positive correlation with the mitotic index (P > 0.05, r = 0.89). Although beta-catenin, MCM-3 and MCM-7 showed a positive reaction in the haemangiosarcomas examined, their usefulness as diagnostic and prognostic factors should be a topic of further research

Canine leishmaniosis - own observations

Canine leishmaniosis is among the most important diseases with zoonotic potential, because dogs are considered the 'main reservoir of the parasite. In endemic areas, clinical form of the disease is observed only in about 10% of infected dogs. If present, three forms of canine leishmaniosis can be recognized, namely cutaneous, mucocutaneous and visceral. Since endemic areas of canine leishmaniosis in Europe spread to regions, that have long been considered as free from parasite, it is important to include this parasitic disease in laboratory diagnostic protocols in dogs also in Poland. This article presents some significant issues on canine leishmaniosis

Visceral mast cell tumor in cats

This article aims at the presentation of diagnostic as well as clinical issues in feline oncology. Mast cell tumor (MCT), is very common in cats, with dermal form recognized most frequently. Visceral MCT however, is also common but it seems to be underdiagnosed in feline patients. Among feline mastocytomas of internal organs, two clinical forms were established: visceral/splenic MCT and intestinal MCT. Both forms are recognized in older cats without gender and breed predilections. Clinical signs are usually nonspecific, with vomiting, anorexia and body weight loss. Animals become anemic. Cytological examination of aspirates collected by fine–needle biopsy is usually diagnostic, however in cases of poorly differentiated MCTs histopathology supported by immunocytochemistry is necessary. There are no widely accepted prognostic factors in cats with splenic and intestinal mast cell tumors. The degree of neoplastic cells differentiation as well as mitotic index value, can be useful in cases of intestinal form. Splenectomy in splenic form is recommended, but in the intestinal form of feline MCT there is no treatment

"Epulides" in dogs - classification, diagnosis and prognosis

The term “epulis” has been used to describe localized gingival mass or masses, regardless of their nature. This is considered to be only topographical description not specific diagnosis. Epulis includes both non-neoplastic and/or neoplastic processes and microscopic examination of tissue sample is necessary to obtain final diagnosis. Among numerous lesions, gingival fibrous hyperplasia, odontogenic fibroma (formerly called fibrous and osseous epulides), and canine acanthomatous amaloblastoma (formerly called acanthomatous epulis), are most often recognized benign tumors with clinical presentation as “epulis” in dogs. Prevalence, clinical presentations, and microscopic pictures of mentioned lesions were described in this article, as well as some data and guidance concerning prognosis were presented

Clinical staging in canine lymphomas

Two important treatment steps are crucial in dogs with lymphoma: establishment of cytological/histological tumor subtype and its clinical staging. Cytological examination of samples collected from peripheral lymph nodes is the first step of lymphoma diagnosis, but this method can be also used to establishing clinical staging – fine biopsy of spleen, liver, bone marrow and others, if necessary. Histopathology confirms the diagnosis, according to WHO classification system, however the entire lymph node or large its part has to be sent to laboratory. Regardless of the method of microscopic diagnosis, immunophenotyping by immunohistochemistry or flow cytometry allow to obtain detailed characteristics of lymphoma

Primary lung tumors in dogs – diagnosis and prognosis

Canine lung tumors are common, with predominance of metastatic lesions, however primary tumors are also quite often recognized. Microscopic examination of tumors resected during surgery, is extremely important since histologic grade is reliable, prognostic factor. Moreover, detailed clinical examination, supported by diagnostic imaging and visualization techniques, especially computed tomography, allow to establish clinical stage of disease. This article describes diagnostic procedures and prognostic factors in dogs with primary lung tumors

Skin lesions. Part I. Primary skin lesions

Morphology of skin lesions, together with their clinical history, are an essential feature of dermatologic diagnosis. According to mechanisms of development skin lesions can be classified as primary and secondary. Typical morphology of skin lesions allows to suspect the causative agent(s), however usually additional diagnostic tests are necessary to solve and confirm the suspicion. This article describes primary skin lesions as well as diagnostic procedures useful in those cases

Sterile panniculitis in dogs and cats – diagnosis and management

This article aims at the presentation of infrequently described syndrome of dermatological condition in dogs and cats. Sterile panniculitis is inflammatory process involving subcutaneous fat tissue. This syndrome is characterized by pyogranulomatous nodules, plaques, and ulcers of variable extent and severity. However no autoantigen or the exogenous inflammatory agent has been identified, it is considered to be caused by infectious agents, trauma, ischemia or subcutaneous administration of drugs. Clinical examination of lesion recognised in area of previous injection. supported by cytology is usually sufficient to diagnosis. Differential diagnoses include bacterial and fungal nodular dermatoses, neoplasia, and cutaneous reactive histiocytosis. Diagnosis is achieved via diagnostic exclusion of infectious causes and supportive histopathology findings