Predictive ability of fine-needle aspirate cytology for incompletely resected mast cell tumor surgical sites.

The goal of this study was to evaluate whether fine-needle aspirate cytology of a previous surgical site was predictive of recurrence for incompletely excised mast cell tumors (MCTs). Electronic medical records were searched for dogs diagnosed with MCTs; those with histologically confirmed, incompletely resected MCTs evaluated by scar aspiration cytology within 60 days after surgery were included for analysis. Variables were compared between groups using Fisher's exact test and logistic regression. Twenty-nine cutaneous and 7 subcutaneous tumors were evaluated. Local recurrence, confirmed by either histopathology or cytology, occurred in 13.8% of cases. No significant differences were identified for any variables other than surgical site cytology status. The negative predictive value of surgical site aspirate cytology without residual mast cell tumor was 93.5%, with an overall predictive accuracy of 88.9%. For the dogs evaluated in this report, surgical site aspiration cytology was predictive of local disease control for incompletely resected MCTs.

Capacité prédictive de la cytologie d'aspiration à l'aiguille fine de sites de chirurgie de résection incomplète de mastocytomes. L'objectif de la présente étude était d'évaluer si la cytologie d'aspiration à l'aiguille fine d'un site chirurgical antérieur permettait de prédire une récurrence lors de l'excision incomplète d'un mastocytome (MCT). Les dossiers médicaux électroniques furent examinés pour trouver des chiens avec un diagnostic de MCT; ceux avec confirmation histologique d'un MCT avec résection incomplète évaluée par cytologie d'une aspiration de la cicatrice en dedans de 60 jours après la chirurgie furent inclus pour analyse. Les variables furent comparées entre les groupes en utilisant le test exact de Fisher et une régression logistique. Vingt-neuf tumeurs cutanées et sept tumeurs sous-cutanées furent évaluées. Une récurrence locale, confirmée par histopathologie ou cytologie, est survenue dans 13,8 % des cas. Aucune différence significative ne fut détectée pour les différentes variables autres que le statut de la cytologie du site chirurgical. La valeur prédictive négative de la cytologie d'une aspiration du site chirurgical sans cellule résiduelle du mastocytome était de 93,5 % avec une précision prédictive globale de 88,9 %. Pour les chiens examinés dans cette étude, la cytologie d'une aspiration du site chirurgical était prédictive d'une maîtrise locale de la maladie lors de résection incomplète d'un MCT.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Evaluation of tumor immunity after administration of conditionally replicative adenoviral vector in canine osteosarcoma patients.

Osteosarcoma is one among the most common neoplasms in dogs. Current treatments show limited efficacy and fail to prevent metastasis. Conditionally replicative adenoviruses (CRAd) replicate exclusively in targeted tumor cells and release new virus particles to infect additional cells. We proposed that OC-CAVE1 (CAV2 with the E1A promoter replaced with the osteocalcin promotor) may also enhance existing immunity against tumors by overcoming immune tolerance via exposure of new epitopes and cytokine signaling. Eleven client-owned dogs with spontaneously occurring osteosarcomas were enrolled in a pilot study. All dogs were injected with OC-CAVE1 following amputation of the affected limb or limb-sparing surgery. Dogs were monitored for viremia and viral shedding. There was minimal virus shedding in urine and feces by the 6th day and no virus was present in blood after 4 weeks. CAV-2 antibody-titers increased in all of the patients, post-CRAd injection. Immunological assays were performed to monitor 1) humoral response against tumors, 2) levels of circulatory CD11c + cells, 3) levels of regulatory T cells, and 4) cytotoxic activity of tumor specific T cells against autologous tumor cells between pre-CRAd administration and 4 weeks post-CRAd administration samples. Administration of the CRAd OC-CAVE1 resulted in alteration of some immune response parameters but did not appear to result in increased survival duration. However, 2 dogs in the study achieved survival times in excess of 1 year. Weak replication of OC-CAVE1 in metastatic cells and delay of chemotherapy following CRAd treatment may contribute to the lack of immune response and improvement in survival time of the clinical patients.

Total laryngectomy and permanent tracheostomy in six dogs.

The objective of this report is to describe the surgical technique for total laryngectomy and outcome in six dogs. Laryngeal cancer is an uncommon and challenging clinical problem. Total laryngectomy can provide local disease control but is uncommonly performed. Detailed procedural descriptions are limited and similarly limited information is available regarding patient outcome. Institutional medical records were searched for dogs treated with total laryngectomy. Six dogs were identified. The procedure resulted in postoperative quality of life similar to permanent tracheostomy alone. Surgical margin status was evaluated in five of six cases and was complete in those five. All dogs survived to discharge from the hospital. Complications were mostly related to tracheostomy occlusion or collapse which is recognized as a complication associated with permanent tracheostomy. Patient quality of life was acceptable. Local recurrence was suspected in one dog. Recurrence was not observed in the case with unknown margin status.