Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Early screening finds histiocytic sarcoma in Bernese Mountain dogs
By Nielsen, L N et al.·Published in Veterinary and comparative oncology·2012·Department of Small Animal Clinical Studies·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Investigation of a screening programme and the possible identification of biomarkers for early disseminated histiocytic sarcoma in Bernese Mountain dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A Bernese Mountain dog was part of a screening program designed to catch early signs of a serious cancer called disseminated histiocytic sarcoma (DHS). Over 2.5 years, the program used blood tests and imaging to monitor healthy dogs, and it successfully identified five dogs with early signs of the disease. The blood test for serum ferritin showed promise as a potential early warning marker. Unfortunately, the average survival time for these dogs after diagnosis was about 226 days. Regular screenings every six months for dogs over four years old could help catch this cancer early.
People also search for: Bernese Mountain dog cancer symptoms · early signs of histiocytic sarcoma in dogs · blood test for dog cancer
Abstract
The aim of the study was to construct a screening programme for disseminated histiocytic sarcoma (DHS) in Bernese Mountain dogs using diagnostic imaging and blood analysis and evaluate blood borne biomarkers as early disease detection biomarkers. Healthy Bernese Mountain dogs were screened on four occasions in an attempt to detect early disease. Eleven blood borne biomarkers were examined for their worth as early tumour biomarkers. During 2.5 years, five dogs with early DHS were identified; four of these by diagnostic imaging. No dogs developed symptomatic DHS without being detected within 6 months of the screening programme. Only serum ferritin showed potential as a blood borne marker of the disease. Median survival times for the dogs with early DHS were 226 days. Screening programmes every 6 months for Bernese Mountain dogs over 4 years of age including diagnostic imaging and ferritin measurements may identify early DHS.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22235831/