Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Histology tests that predict outcomes in dog mast cell tumors
By Boyd, Katherine et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2025·Bristol Vet Specialists, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical Value of Various Histological Factors in Cutaneous and Subcutaneous Mast Cell Tumors in 197 Dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 197 dogs with skin tumors called mast cell tumors (MCTs) underwent surgery and various tests to predict their outcomes. The study found that a high mitotic count (more than 5) was linked to a shorter survival time, while a specific mutation in the c-kit gene was associated with both poorer survival and a higher chance of the tumors coming back. These findings suggest that certain genetic factors can help veterinarians better understand the prognosis for dogs with MCTs. Treatment typically involves surgical removal of the tumors, and understanding these factors can guide further care.
People also search for: dog mast cell tumor prognosis · c-kit mutation in dogs · mast cell tumor treatment options
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Many histological tests have been correlated with outcome in mast cell tumors (MCTs)in dogs, but their statistical independence is uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical value of histological factors in the prognostication of dogs with MCTs. ANIMALS: One hundred and ninety-seven dogs with 199 histologically diagnosed cutaneous (n = 153) and subcutaneous (n = 43) MCTs treated surgically in primary care practice. All had a commercial prognostic panel performed (Patnaik and Kiupel grade, mitotic count, Ki67, AgNOR, KiAg, c-kit mutation in exons 8 and 11 and KIT localization). METHODS: Retrospective cohort study identifying dogs from searching a commercial laboratory's records (January 2017-August 2020). Follow-up was collected from clinical records. Outcome measures included MCT specific survival (MSS) and recurrence. RESULTS: Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression identified only mitotic count > 5 (HR 10.2; 95% CI 3.2-32.8; p < 0.001) predicted poorer MSS across all MCTs. In Patnaik grade I or II and Kiupel low-grade cutaneous MCTs, only c-kit mutation in exon 11 (HR 20.8; 95% CI 1.80-224.8; p = 0.015) predicted MSS. A c-kit mutation in exon 11 (HR 10.0; 95% CI 3.0-32.9; p < 0.001), age, and histological tumor free margins < 2 mm independently predicted cutaneous and subcutaneous MCT recurrence. In Patnaik grade I or II, and Kiupel low-grade cutaneous MCTs, c-kit mutation in exon 11 (HR 23.20; 95% CI 2.3-231.3; p = 0.007) and AgNOR (HR 13.73; 95% CI 1.6-115.6; p = 0.016) predicted MCT recurrence. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This study suggests a comparatively greater role of c-kit mutations in exon 11 and AgNOR in the prognostication of MCTs, while Ki67 appears less important.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41097986/