Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
New grading system for dog skin mast cell tumors using fibroblasts
By Paes, Paulo R O et al.·Published in Veterinary clinical pathology·2022·Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Brazil·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Inclusion of fibroblasts and collagen fibrils in the cytologic grading of canine cutaneous mast cell tumors.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study looked at 92 dogs with skin tumors called mast cell tumors (MCTs) to see how certain features could help predict survival. Researchers found that the presence of fibroblasts (a type of cell that helps with tissue repair) and collagen (a protein that supports skin structure) in the tumor samples were important indicators. Dogs with low-grade tumors had a much better survival rate compared to those with high-grade tumors. This new grading system could help veterinarians better assess the severity of MCTs and guide treatment decisions, but more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.
People also search for: dog mast cell tumor survival rate · canine skin tumor treatment · fibroblasts in dog tumors
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Fibroblasts and/or collagen fibrils have not been included in previous cytologic grading schemes of canine mast cell tumors (MCTs), and their association with biological behavior is broadly debated. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the cytologic findings of canine MCT, with emphasis on the microenvironment, and propose a novel cytologic grading system correlated with mortality and histologic grade. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cytology smears of canine cutaneous MCTs were retrospectively reviewed and compared with their histopathologic counterparts using Cohen´s Kappa test. One-year survival rates were also compared with the cytologic and histopathologic variables using Pearson´s correlation test. RESULTS: From 92 first-occurrence canine cutaneous MCTs, the five features most associated with mortality were selected for a new grading system. The five features were cytoplasmic granulation, fibroblast and/or collagen fibril concentrations, and the presence of mitotic figures, multinucleation, and karyomegaly. Among concordant histopathologic and cytologic cases (ie, the same grades using both systems), mortality rates were 2.6% (1/38) for low-grade and 71.4% (10/14) for high-grade cases (P < 0.001, chi-square). For false-negative and false-positive results, mortality rates were 33% (1/3) and 45% (5/11), respectively (P = 0.707). CONCLUSIONS: Unlike the Camus cytologic grading system, the present amendment excluded binucleation and included fibroblasts and/ or collagen fibrils, which in higher concentrations were associated with increased survival and a low histopathologic grade. Cytologic grading with the inclusion of fibroblast and collagen fibril concentrations correlated with survival, as did the Camus cytologic and Kiupel histopathologic grades; however, further studies are needed to confirm the prognostic value of this novel cytologic grading scheme.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35419864/