Postsurgical Outcome in Cats with Exocrine Pancreatic Carcinoma: Nine Cases (2007-2016).

Feline exocrine pancreatic carcinoma has been reported to be an aggressive tumor with a high metastatic rate and poor prognosis. Studies reporting long-term outcome of cats after surgical removal of solitary pancreatic carcinomas are rare, due to the uncommon diagnosis and paucity of cats who undergo treatment. In this study, nine cases of feline exocrine pancreatic carcinoma from seven academic and private practice veterinary hospitals were reviewed to examine the outcome in cats undergoing surgical removal of the mass. The median postsurgical survival time for the nine cats was 316.5 days (range, 25-964 days), with three cats alive at a median follow-up time of 309 days. This study demonstrates that surgical removal of pancreatic exocrine tumors in cats with localized disease can result in survival times of over 300 days.

Primary nodal hemangiosarcoma in four dogs.

CASE DESCRIPTION 4 dogs with a slow-growing mass in the cervical region were evaluated. CLINICAL FINDINGS All dogs had no clinical signs at the time of the evaluation. There was no apparent evidence of visceral metastases or other primary tumor based on available CT or MRI data for any dog. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME For each dog, surgery to remove the mass was performed. Histologic examination of the excised tissue revealed a completely excised grade 1 or 2 lymph node hemangiosarcoma. All dogs received adjuvant chemotherapy; 2 dogs underwent curative intent chemotherapy, 1 dog underwent metronomic treatment with cyclophosphamide, and 1 dog underwent metronomic treatment with chlorambucil. The survival time was 259 days in 1 dog; 3 dogs were still alive 615, 399, and 365 days after surgery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Primary nodal hemangiosarcoma in dogs is a rare and, to the authors' knowledge, previously undescribed disease that appears to develop in the cervical lymph nodes as a slow-growing mass or masses. Surgical excision and adjunct treatment resulted in long survival times for 3 of the 4 dogs of the present report. Given the aggressive biologic behavior of hemangiosarcomas in other body locations, adjunct chemotherapy should be considered for affected dogs, although its role in the cases described in this report was unclear. Additional clinical information is required to further characterize the biologic behavior of this tumor type and determine the expected survival times and associated risk factors in dogs.

Evaluation of carboplatin sustained-release delivery system in dogs with cancer.

The objective of the study was to assess the carboplatin sustained-release (CSR) as an injectable, biodegradable polymer system designed to uniformly release carboplatin over 30 days at a dose of 350 mg m-2. The study involved seven client-owned dogs with histologically or cytologically confirmed neoplasia that were treated with CSR intramuscularly. Platinum levels were measured at days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28. Complete blood cell (CBC) counts, body weight, local toxicity and side effects were also evaluated at the time of platinum measurement at days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28. CSR released carboplatin steadily over 30 days. Neutropenia was noted as Grade 3 in one dog (14%) and Grade 4 in two dogs (29%) at day 14, and Grade 4 in one dog (14%) at day 21. Thrombocytopenia was noted as Grade 2 in four dogs (57%), Grade 3 in one dog (14%) and Grade 4 in one dog (14%) at day 14; Grade 2 in two dogs (29%) and Grade 3 in one dog (14%) at days 21 and 28. Grade 1 lethargy in one dog (14%) and Grade 1 nausea in dog (14%) occurring within 7 days after administration. No obvious local injection site reactions were noted. CSR administered at 350 mg m-2 intramuscularly resulted in a steady release over 30 days. Myelosuppression (Grade 4) was noted in 86% of patients. CSR released the drug slowly and steadily, however additional studies are needed to assess acceptable dosage requirements.

Lomustine for treatment of mast cell tumors in cats: 38 cases (1999-2005).

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical activity and toxic effects of lomustine when used to treat cats with mast cell tumors (MCTs). DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 38 cats with measurable, histologically or cytologically confirmed MCTs treated with lomustine at a dosage > or = 50 mg/m(2). PROCEDURES: Medical records were reviewed to determine response to treatment and evidence of drug toxicoses. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate remission duration. RESULTS: 26 cats had cutaneous MCTs, 7 had MCTs of the mesenteric lymph nodes, 2 had gastrointestinal tract MCTs, 2 had hepatic MCTs, and 1 had MCTs involving multiple organs. Targeted lomustine dosage was 50 mg/m(2) in 22 cats and 60 mg/m(2) in 16 cats. Median administered dosage of lomustine was 56 mg/m(2) (range, 48 to 65 mg/m(2)), and median number of doses administered was 2 (range, 1 to 12). Seven cats had a complete response and 12 had a partial response, for an overall response rate of 50%. Median response duration was 168 days (range, 25 to 727 days). The most common toxicoses were neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that lomustine had activity against MCTs in cats and was well tolerated. Further, findings suggested that treatment with lomustine should be considered for cats with MCTs for which local treatment is not an option.