Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Calcium to phosphorus ratio helps predict cancer in dogs with kidney
By McDaniel, Kaylyn et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2023·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Ionized calcium-to-phosphorus ratio predicts neoplasia in azotemic dogs: a retrospective study of 105 cases.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 105 dogs with high calcium levels and kidney problems (azotemia) was studied to see if the ratio of calcium to phosphorus could help predict cancer (neoplasia). Out of these dogs, 39 had cancer while 66 did not. The study found that a specific calcium-to-phosphorus ratio was not very reliable for predicting cancer, but a different ratio showed better results, suggesting it might be useful in identifying cancer in dogs with these symptoms. This information can help veterinarians assess the risk of cancer in dogs with high calcium and kidney issues.
People also search for: dog high calcium levels · azotemia in dogs · calcium phosphorus ratio cancer in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate dogs with total hypercalcemia, azotemia, and normal serum phosphorus concentrations to determine whether a calcium-to-phosphorus ratio (Ca:P) or ionized Ca:P (iCa:P) could be utilized to predict underlying neoplasia. ANIMALS: 105 dogs were included in the study. Thirty-seven percent (n = 39) had known neoplasia, and 63% (66) had no evidence of neoplasia. PROCEDURES: A retrospective medical records search was performed. An observational cutoff of 2.5 for Ca:P and 0.33 for iCa:P was used for determining sensitivity and specificity between the neoplasia and nonneoplasia groups. RESULTS: Total hypercalcemia was higher in dogs with neoplasia compared to nonneoplastic cases of hypercalcemia. Ca:P of 2.5 had an 80% sensitivity and 46% specificity for predicting neoplasia. iCa:P of 0.33 had a 92% sensitivity and 77% specificity for predicting neoplasia in azotemic dogs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The sensitivity and specificity of Ca:P was low, making it an unreliable tool to predict neoplasia in this specific study population. However, iCa:P may have some usefulness in determining presence of neoplasia in patients with high calcium, azotemia, and normal phosphorus.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37116875/