Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Whole-body CT scans for cancer diagnosis in dogs and cats
By DE Almeida, Maria et al.·Published in In vivo (Athens, Greece)·2025·Anicura CHV Porto Hospital Veteriná·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: The Diagnostic Yield of Whole-body Computed Tomography in Dogs and Cats in the Oncology Setting.
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs and cats with suspected cancer underwent whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) scans to help diagnose their conditions. The scans were able to detect metastases, or cancer spread, in 14 dogs and 6 cats, with a higher detection rate in cats. This imaging method proved to be more accurate than traditional X-rays and ultrasounds, identifying cancer spread in over 35% of the cases. WBCT is a valuable tool for veterinarians in staging tumors and planning treatment for pets with cancer.
People also search for: dog cancer diagnosis · cat cancer treatment options · whole-body CT scan for pets · pet metastasis detection · veterinary oncology imaging
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM: Clinical staging has become essential in veterinary oncology. It is crucial for creating effective treatment plans and predicting outcomes. Whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) can serve as a comprehensive staging examination, offering a detailed view of a patient's internal anatomy. This retrospective study aimed to assess the diagnostic yield of WBCT in diagnosing cancer in dogs and cats. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed medical records of cats and dogs that underwent a WBCT scan between January 2016 and May 2023. Only cases with a confirmed cytological or histological diagnosis of the primary tumor and complete medical records were considered. We collected data on histological diagnoses and diagnostic methods used. RESULTS: Our study included 57 animals that underwent WBCT for cancer-related reasons. Metastases were detected in 14 dogs, with four showing metastases in multiple locations, five in the lungs, three in the lymph nodes, one in the skeleton, and one in the liver, yielding a diagnostic rate of 31.8%. In cats, metastases were detected in six cases (five in the lungs and one in the lymph nodes), with a diagnostic yield of 46.2%. WBCT identified metastasis in over 35% of cases, including those outside the thoracic and abdominal cavities, indicating potentially greater accuracy than radiography and ultrasound. CONCLUSION: WBCT is an effective and safe method for tumor staging and oncological diagnosis in dogs and cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40295013/