Unclassified sarcomas: a study to improve classification in a cohort of Golden Retriever dogs

Abstract

Morphologically, canine soft-tissue sarcomas (STSs) resemble human STSs. In humans, proper classification of STSs is considered essential to improve insight in the biology of these tumors, and to optimize diagnosis and therapy. To date, there is a paucity of data published on the significance of detailed classification of STSs in the dog. We revised a cohort (n = 110) of proliferative lesions obtained from a study in Golden Retrievers that were considered soft tissue sarcoma, not otherwise specified or of uncertain subtype in order to optimize the diagnoses of these lesions. The criteria according to the veterinary WHO classification, recent veterinary literature, and the WHO classification for humans were applied. Revision was initially based on morphologic characteristics of hematoxylin and eosin-stained histologic sections of the neoplasms. If considered necessary (n = 76), additional immunohistochemistry was applied to aid characterization. The diagnosis of STS was confirmed in 75 neoplasms (68%). Of this group, diagnosis of a specific subtype of the STSs was possible in 58 neoplasms. Seven neoplasms had morphologic characteristics that were suggestive for sarcoma subtypes only described in the WHO classification for humans. Seventeen neoplasms remained unclassified STSs. Thirty-one lesions (28%) were diagnosed neoplasm, not being STS. Four lesions (4%) were considered nonneoplastic. Because incorrect classification of a tumor could lead to inappropriate therapeutic intervention and prognostication, the results of our study clearly illustrate the importance of revision and further diagnosis of unclassified STSs in dogs.

Keywords

Classification; dogs; immunohistochemistry; soft-tissue sarcoma; unclassified

Published in

Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation
2016, volume: 28, number: 6, pages: 623-631
Publisher: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC

SLU Authors

• Hellmén, Eva

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Clinical Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1040638716660130

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/83014