Evaluation of dogs with digit masses: 117 cases (1981–1991)

Dominic J. Marino From the Departments of Surgery (Marino and Matthiesen), Radiology (Stefanacci), and Pathology (Moroff), The Animal Medical Center, 510 E 62nd St, New York, NY 10021.

Search for other papers by Dominic J. Marino in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 DVM
,
David T. Matthiesen From the Departments of Surgery (Marino and Matthiesen), Radiology (Stefanacci), and Pathology (Moroff), The Animal Medical Center, 510 E 62nd St, New York, NY 10021.

Search for other papers by David T. Matthiesen in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 DVM
,
Joseph D. Stefanacci From the Departments of Surgery (Marino and Matthiesen), Radiology (Stefanacci), and Pathology (Moroff), The Animal Medical Center, 510 E 62nd St, New York, NY 10021.

Search for other papers by Joseph D. Stefanacci in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 VMD
, and
Scott D. Moroff From the Departments of Surgery (Marino and Matthiesen), Radiology (Stefanacci), and Pathology (Moroff), The Animal Medical Center, 510 E 62nd St, New York, NY 10021.

Search for other papers by Scott D. Moroff in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 VMD

Summary

Medical records of 117 dogs with digit masses were reviewed. Of 124 digit masses, 76 (61%) were malignant neoplasms, 25 (20%) were benign neoplasms, and 23 (19%) were pyogranulomatous inflammation. Of 29 digits with radiographic evidence of bone lysis, 24 (83%) were affected by malignant masses, whereas only 5 of 29 (17%) digits with radiographic evidence of bone lysis were affected by benign or pyogranulomatous masses. Only 1 of 19 (5%) dogs with melanoma had radiographic evidence of lysis, but 20 of 25 (80%) dogs with squamous cell carcinoma had radiographic evidence of bone lysis. Thoracic radiographs of 95 dogs were available. Six of 19 (32%) dogs with melanoma had radiographic evidence of pulmonary metastasis at the time of diagnosis, whereas 3 of 24 (13%) dogs with squamous cell carcinoma had radiographic evidence of pulmonary metastasis at the time of diagnosis. Twenty-nine digit neoplasms were squamous cell carcinoma, and 19 of 29 (66%) arose from the subungual epithelium. Of 19 dogs with squamous cell carcinoma originating from the subungual epithelium, 18 (95%) survived for at least 1 year, whereas only 6 of 10 (60%) dogs with squamous cell carcinoma originating in other parts of the digit survived for at least 1 year. Furthermore, of 19 dogs with squamous cell carcinoma originating from the subungual epithelium, 14 (74%) survived at least 2 years, whereas only 4 of 9 (44%) dogs with squamous cell carcinoma originating in other parts of the digit survived for 2 years. Dogs with melanoma of the digits had a median survival time of 12 months, with 10 of 24 (42%) alive at 1 year and 3 of 23 (13%) alive at 2 years. Dogs with mast cell tumor of the digits had a median survival time of 20 months, with 7 of 8 (88%) dogs alive at 1 year and 4 of 8 (50%) alive at 2 years.

Analysis of the results of the study reported here indicated that the prevalence of neoplasms in dogs with digit masses was high. Malignant neoplasms were more prevalent than benign neoplasms, with the most commonly identified types being squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Radiographic evidence of bone lysis was seen in dogs with all types of masses but was more commonly associated with squamous cell carcinoma than with melanoma. Dogs with melanoma of the digit had a higher prevalence of pulmonary metastasis and a poorer prognosis than dogs with squamous cell carcinoma.

Summary

Medical records of 117 dogs with digit masses were reviewed. Of 124 digit masses, 76 (61%) were malignant neoplasms, 25 (20%) were benign neoplasms, and 23 (19%) were pyogranulomatous inflammation. Of 29 digits with radiographic evidence of bone lysis, 24 (83%) were affected by malignant masses, whereas only 5 of 29 (17%) digits with radiographic evidence of bone lysis were affected by benign or pyogranulomatous masses. Only 1 of 19 (5%) dogs with melanoma had radiographic evidence of lysis, but 20 of 25 (80%) dogs with squamous cell carcinoma had radiographic evidence of bone lysis. Thoracic radiographs of 95 dogs were available. Six of 19 (32%) dogs with melanoma had radiographic evidence of pulmonary metastasis at the time of diagnosis, whereas 3 of 24 (13%) dogs with squamous cell carcinoma had radiographic evidence of pulmonary metastasis at the time of diagnosis. Twenty-nine digit neoplasms were squamous cell carcinoma, and 19 of 29 (66%) arose from the subungual epithelium. Of 19 dogs with squamous cell carcinoma originating from the subungual epithelium, 18 (95%) survived for at least 1 year, whereas only 6 of 10 (60%) dogs with squamous cell carcinoma originating in other parts of the digit survived for at least 1 year. Furthermore, of 19 dogs with squamous cell carcinoma originating from the subungual epithelium, 14 (74%) survived at least 2 years, whereas only 4 of 9 (44%) dogs with squamous cell carcinoma originating in other parts of the digit survived for 2 years. Dogs with melanoma of the digits had a median survival time of 12 months, with 10 of 24 (42%) alive at 1 year and 3 of 23 (13%) alive at 2 years. Dogs with mast cell tumor of the digits had a median survival time of 20 months, with 7 of 8 (88%) dogs alive at 1 year and 4 of 8 (50%) alive at 2 years.

Analysis of the results of the study reported here indicated that the prevalence of neoplasms in dogs with digit masses was high. Malignant neoplasms were more prevalent than benign neoplasms, with the most commonly identified types being squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Radiographic evidence of bone lysis was seen in dogs with all types of masses but was more commonly associated with squamous cell carcinoma than with melanoma. Dogs with melanoma of the digit had a higher prevalence of pulmonary metastasis and a poorer prognosis than dogs with squamous cell carcinoma.

All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 0 0 0
Full Text Views 655 655 34
PDF Downloads 223 223 26
Advertisement