Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Skin tumors from bone cancer in a dog
By Gorman, Elena et al.·Published in Veterinary clinical pathology·2006·Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Cutaneous metastasis of primary appendicular osteosarcoma in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 6-year-old neutered male Rottweiler was brought to the vet because of a bone lesion in his right front leg and possible lung issues. After initial tests, he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. Four weeks later, new skin lumps appeared on his left thigh and back, which were also found to be cancerous. Unfortunately, his condition worsened, and due to the spread of the cancer, he was euthanized. This case highlights that increased alkaline phosphatase levels in the blood may indicate a poor outlook for dogs with this type of cancer.
People also search for: Rottweiler bone cancer symptoms · dog skin lumps cancer · osteosarcoma treatment in dogs
Abstract
A 6-year-old, neutered male Rottweiler was presented to the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital because of a lytic bone lesion involving the distal portion of the right radius and possible pulmonary metastases on thoracic radiographs. Results of serum biochemical analysis were unremarkable. Aspiration and cytologic examination of the bone lesion indicated likely sarcoma with reactive bone. Cutaneous masses were found on the left thigh, interscapular region, and dorsal lumbar region, 4 weeks after initial presentation. Neoplastic spindle cells were found in aspirates from 2 of the masses. The neoplastic cells stained positive for alkaline phosphatase activity using cytochemistry. Re-evaluation of serum biochemical values at this time revealed a marked increase in alkaline phosphatase activity (413 U/L, reference interval 12-110 U/L) compared with the initial value (26 U/L). Due to progressive disease, the dog was euthanized and a necropsy was performed. Histologic findings included primary osteosarcoma of the distal portion of the right radius, with metastases in the lungs, spleen, left fourth and fifth ribs, soft tissue of the right medial thigh, and T1-T3/interscapular region. Cutaneous metastasis of primary appendicular osteosarcoma has been reported rarely in animals and humans. Increased serum alkaline phosphatase activity may be a potential indicator of poor prognosis for this neoplasm.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16967427/