Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Prior joint disease raises risk of joint cancer in dogs
By Manor, E K et al.·Published in Veterinary and comparative oncology·2018·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Prior joint disease is associated with increased risk of periarticular histiocytic sarcoma in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs diagnosed with periarticular histiocytic sarcoma (a type of aggressive tumor near joints) were found to have a higher likelihood of having had prior joint problems, such as torn ligaments. This study included various breeds, including Flat-Coated Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Rottweilers, and showed that nearly 90% of dogs with this tumor had a history of joint disease in the affected area. This suggests that if your dog has had joint issues, they may be at increased risk for developing this serious condition. Further research is needed to understand the connection better.
People also search for: dog joint problems and cancer · periarticular histiocytic sarcoma in dogs · signs of joint disease in dogs
Abstract
Periarticular histiocytic sarcoma (PAHS) is the most common synovial tumour in dogs and is characterized by aggressive local disease with a high rate of distant metastasis. Previously, an association between PAHS and prior joint disease has been demonstrated in the Bernese Mountain Dog breed and suggested in the Rottweiler. We hypothesized that this association would be present in other breeds and investigated this via a retrospective, case-controlled analysis. Cases were dogs diagnosed with PAHS of the stifle or elbow. Controls were age, breed and sex-matched dogs without a diagnosis of histiocytic sarcoma. Diagnosis of prior joint disease was determined based on review of medical records and direct veterinarian and owner communications. Data were evaluated using logistic regression, 2-sampled t tests, and chi-squared analysis. Our study population consisted of 28 cases and 46 controls, including Flat-Coated, Golden and Labrador Retrievers, Rottweilers, English Bulldogs, Shih Tzus, Australian Shepherds, Staffordshire Terriers and mixed breed dogs. Dogs with PAHS were more likely to have prior joint disease in the tumour-affected joint compared with the control population (odds ratio [OR] = 13.42, P < .0001, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.33-48.63). A total of 88.2% of dogs with stifle PAHS had prior joint disease in their tumour-affected joint, most commonly cranial cruciate ligament rupture. This study confirms that the previously noted association between prior joint disease and PAHS in Bernese Mountain Dogs also applies to other breeds. Additional studies are needed to further investigate for a causal relationship.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28836371/