Comparison of computed tomography response criteria after chemoembolization of hepatic carcinoma in dogs.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate unidimensional (mm), bidimensional (mm), or tridimensional (mL) computed tomography (CT) tumor measurements for ability to discriminate changes in lesion size and predict survival in dogs with nonresectable hepatic carcinoma treated with drug-eluting bead transarterial-chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) and to compare CT responseResponse Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors 1.1 (mm), World Health Organization (mm), ellipsoid and spherical volume (mL), and percent necrosis, for their ability to differentiate treatment responders. This was a prospective, single-arm clinical trial. DEB-TACE was performed to varying levels of blood flow stasis in 16 client-owned dogs with nonresectable hepatic carcinoma. Computed tomography imaging responses were assessed and compared to median survival time. Results revealed that initial, follow-up, or changes in unidimensional, bidimensional, or tridimensional tumor measurements were not associated with survival. Larger bidimensional and tridimensional tumor measurements/body weight on initial and follow-up CT were significantly associated with a shorter median survival time [bidimensional (= 0.04, 0.016) and tridimensional (= 0.025, 0.015), respectively]. A higher percent necrosis on initial CT was significantly associated with a shorter median survival time (= 0.038). Ellipsoid volumetric criteria detected treatment response most frequently; however, response classification was not associated with median survival time. Computed tomography bidimensional and tridimensional tumor measurements/body weight before and after DEB-TACE may help to predict median survival time for dogs undergoing DEB-TACE for hepatic carcinoma.