PROSPECTIVE COMPARISON OF TUMOR STAGING USING COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY VERSUS MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FINDINGS IN DOGS WITH NASAL NEOPLASIA: A PILOT STUDY

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2, epidermal growth factor receptor, cyclooxygenase-2, survivin, E-cadherin and Ki-67 in canine nasal carcinomas and sarcomas - a pilot study

Background

Malignant (intra-) nasal tumors (NTs) are the most common cause of chronic nasal discharge in dogs. Besides radiation therapy, palliative therapy is necessary in some dogs. Therefore, studies on receptor expression have supported the utility of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in dogs with nasal carcinomas. However, studies on receptor expression in nasal sarcomas are lacking.

Materials and methods

This study evaluated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), cyclooxigenase-2 (COX-2), Ki-67, survivin and E-cadherin in nasal carcinomas and sarcomas and compared it with tumor (T) categories based on computed tomography (CT).

Results

In 26 dogs with NTs, cross sectional imaging and upper airway endoscopy with guided biopsy collection were performed, followed by histopathological examination of NTs, revealing 19 epithelial and 7 mesenchymal tumors. While EGFR and E-cadherin were only expressed by carcinomas, the following markers were expressed by both carcinomas and sarcomas without significant differences between tumor types and T-categories: VEGFR-2 (carcinomas and sarcomas 100%), COX-2 (carcinomas 63%, sarcomas 57%), survivin (carcinomas 100%, sarcomas 86%) and Ki-67 (median expression of 28.5% in carcinomas and 17.3% in sarcomas).

Conclusion

Based on similarities in marker expression between canine carcinomas and sarcomas, clinical studies should further elucidate the use of TKI or COX-2 inhibitors as additional therapy in dogs with nasal sarcomas.

Feline upper respiratory tract disease - Computed tomography and laboratory diagnostic

Background and Aim

Upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) is prevalent in cats, and diagnosis can be challenging. This study aimed to determine the most common causes of cat URTD in Latvia and describe computed tomography (CT) and laboratory diagnostic findings.

Materials and Methods

The present retrospective study included a total of 94 cats who were diagnosed with URTD. All cats underwent CT, and 50 of them had additional diagnostic tests, such as histology and respiratory infection polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.

Results

The most common CT finding was rhinosinusitis (55.32%) followed by nasal neoplasia (26.6%) and nasopharyngeal polyp (14.89%), but in three cats, a cause of respiratory symptoms was larynx neoplasia, nasal dermoid cyst, and an oronasal fistula. PCR test showed that the most cause of rhinosinusitis was Mycoplasma felis. Nasopharyngeal polyp as the primary diagnosis was identified in 14 cats from 3 months to 6 years, with an average age of 1.85 ± 1.915 years, and 54% of cats were female. Nasal neoplasia as a primary CT diagnosis was determined in 25 cats at the age of 5-18 years, with an average age of 10.56 ± 3.416 years. Histology diagnosis included four types of neoplasia - squamous cell carcinoma, sarcoma, adenocarcinoma, and aplastic carcinoma.

Conclusion

This study describes the most common CT and laboratory findings in cats with URTD. Included information will be helpful for general veterinary practitioners and researchers and will update their knowledge on feline URTD.

Patterns of local residual disease and local failure after intensity modulated/image guided radiation therapy for sinonasal tumors in dogs

BACKGROUND

Most dogs with sinonasal tumors (SNT) treated with radiation therapy (RT) died because of local disease progression.

HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES

Our hypothesis is that the majority of local failure and residual disease would occur within the radiation field.

ANIMALS

Twenty-two dogs with SNT treated with RT.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

dogs with SNT receiving 10 daily fractions of 4.2 Gy with intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)/image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) and follow-up cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Each CBCT was registered with the original radiation planning CT and the gross tumor volume (GTV) contoured. The GTV was classified as residual (GTVr) or a failure (GTVf). The dose statistic for each GTV was calculated with the original IMRT plan. For GTVf, failures were classified as "in-field," "marginal," or "out-field" if at least 95, 20-95, or less than 20% of the volume of failure was within 95% (D95) of the total prescription dose, respectively.

RESULTS

There were 52 follow-up CBCT/CTs. Overall there was a GTVr for 20 dogs and GTVf for 16 dogs. The majority of GTVr volume was within the original GTV. GTVf analysis showed that 75% (12/16) were "in-field," 19% (3/16) were "marginal" and 6% (1/16) were "out-field."

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

In-field failures are the main pattern for local recurrence, and there is evidence of radioresistant subvolumes within the GTV.

Clinical response and survival time of cats with carcinoma of the nasal cavity treated with palliative coarse fractionated radiotherapy

OBJECTIVES

Carcinoma is the second most common tumour of the nasal cavity in cats. Few studies assessing the response and survival of cats with carcinoma of the nasal cavity treated with palliative coarse fractionated radiotherapy have been published.

METHODS

Twenty-eight cats were diagnosed with histologically confirmed carcinoma of the nasal cavity. All patients treated with a coarse fractionated radiotherapy protocol were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

Improvement of the clinical signs were reported in 24 cases; median survival time (MST) was 342 days; and cats with Adams modified stage IV and facial deformity had a significantly reduced MST of 152 days (P = 0.0013) and 67 days (P = 0.0002), respectively. Severe radiotherapy-related clinical signs were not reported and alopecia and leukotrichia were the most common side effects reported in ten cases.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Coarse fractionated radiotherapy treatment for carcinoma of the nasal cavity in cats is effective in relieving clinical signs. Long survival times can be achieved, in particular in cases with a less advanced stage of the tumour.

Treatment of nasal tumours in dogs: a review

Nasal tumours are common neoplasms in dogs and often represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge due to their confined location within the nasal cavities. The main goal of this review is to extract the most relevant information from a wide and often confusing evidence-based medicine on the treatment of canine nasal tumours and conclude with current recommendations. This report highlights the different therapeutic modalities available and describes their technical aspects, interests and limitations. Megavoltage radiotherapy, as the most recent treatment and standard of care, is particularly examined, especially the different types of radiotherapy units, the main protocols used and their advantages and limits. Newer and non-conventional treatments are also discussed.

Evaluation of the Spirotome Device for Nasal Tumors Biopsy in Eleven Dogs

This study evaluated the accuracy and diagnostic quality of histological samples obtained with the Spirotome device on biopsies from dogs affected by canine nasal tumors. Eleven dogs were included in this study. The mean age was 10 years. All biopsies were successfully performed within 15 minutes. All dogs showed nasal bleeding after the biopsies, which was quickly managed by applying intranasal compression with sterile cotton swabs. Bleeding stopped within 10 minutes after sampling. All biopsy samples were considered satisfactory by the pathologist, allowing a proper histological assessment.

Nanoparticles-mediated Brain Imaging and Disease Prognosis by Conventional as well as Modern Modal Imaging Techniques: a Comparison

BACKGROUND

Multimodal imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis of brain disorders. Neurological disorders need to be diagnosed at an early stage for their effective treatment as later, it is very difficult to treat them. If possible, diagnosing at an early stage can be much helpful in curing the disease with less harm to the body. There is a need for advanced and multimodal imaging techniques for the same. This paper provides an overview of conventional as well as modern imaging techniques for brain diseases, specifically for tumor imaging. In this paper, different imaging modalities are discussed for tumor detection in the brain along with their advantages and disadvantages. Conjugation of two and more than two modalities provides more accurate information rather than a single modality. They can monitor and differentiate the cellular processes of normal and diseased condition with more clarity. The advent of molecular imaging, including reporter gene imaging, has opened the door of more advanced noninvasive detection of brain tumors. Due to specific optical properties, semiconducting polymer-based nanoparticles also play a pivotal role in imaging tumors.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this paper is to review nanoparticles-mediated brain imaging and disease prognosis by conventional as well as modern modal imaging techniques.

CONCLUSION

We reviewed in detail various medical imaging techniques. This paper covers recent developments in detail and elaborates a possible research aspect for the readers in the field.

Outcome of intensity-modulated radiation therapy-based stereotactic radiation therapy for treatment of canine nasal carcinomas

Stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT) has emerged as a convenient definitive treatment modality in veterinary medicine, but few studies exist evaluating outcome with treatment for canine nasal tumors, and no studies report the treatment of one single tumor histotype. This retrospective, observational study evaluates toxicity, response, and survival in 17 dogs with nasal carcinomas treated with SRT. Dogs received a median of 3000 centigray in three fractions via 6-MV linear accelerator. Eighty-eight percent of patients (n = 15) demonstrated clinical benefit. Of dogs with repeated CT imaging (n = 10), 60% (n = 6) achieved a partial response and 10% (n = 1) achieved a complete response. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 359 days. Median survival time (MST) was 563 days. Among dogs evaluable for acute toxicity, 50% (n = 10) developed low grade toxicity (grade 1, n = 4; grade 2, n = 1). No patients developed grade 3 toxicity. 16 dogs (87%) evaluable over the long term developed signs consistent with possible late toxicity. The majority of late toxicities were mild (alopecia, hyperpigmentation, and leukotrichia n = 10; ocular discharge and keratoconjunctivitis sicca n = 5). Thirty-seven percent of patients (n = 6) developed seven possible grade 3 late toxicities (blindness, n = 3; fistula, n = 1; seizures, n = 3), which were difficult to distinguish from progressive disease in most patients. Of the prognostic factors evaluated (demographics, tumor stage, dosimetric data, epistaxis, facial deformity, clinical response, image-based response, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and chemotherapy), only clinical response was a positive prognostic factor on MST (P < .00). No factors were found to be significantly associated with PFS.

Canine nasal septum deviation can be a normal variation and correlates with increasing skull indices

Nasal septal deviation has been studied in relation to nasal pathology and mass effect in dogs. The purpose of this retrospective, cross-sectional study was to compare the prevalence of nasal septal deviation in dogs with rhinitis, neoplasia, and those without nasal pathology based on the facial index, skull index, and cranial index. Computed tomographic studies of the nasal cavities of dogs performed over a 5-year period were retrospectively reviewed. This study had 233 dogs meeting the inclusion criteria with 135 dogs with no nasal pathology, 63 dogs with nasal neoplasia, and 35 dogs with rhinitis. The prevalence of nasal septal deviation, the angle, maximum distance, and longitudinal extent of deviation were recorded, as well as measurements to calculate the facial index, cranial index, and skull index. The results showed no difference in the prevalence of nasal septal deviation between dogs with nasal pathology and those without. The mean longitudinal extent of deviation and maximum distance of deviation was statistically greater for those with neoplasia compared to those with rhinitis and without nasal pathology. The longitudinal extent of deviation was inversely proportional to the cranial index, facial index, and skull index. The angle of deviation was directly proportional to the facial index and skull index. In conclusion, nasal septal deviation is an anatomic variant in different breeds of dogs with no predilection based on nasal pathology. Nasal septal deviation should be interpreted cautiously in the assessment of canine nasal disease.

Imaging in Non-neurologic Oncologic Treatment Planning of the Head and Neck

Imaging is critical for the diagnosis and staging of veterinary oncology patients. Although cytology or biopsy is generally required for diagnosis, imaging characteristics inform the likelihood of a cancer diagnosis, can result in a prioritized list of differentials that guide further staging tests, and assist in the planning of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy options. Advanced imaging, such as CT and MRI, can better define the extent of disease for surgical and radiation planning for head and neck cancer cases in particular. Additionally, new imaging technologies are continually being translated into veterinary fields, and they may provide more options for cancer patients as they become more widely available.

Canine intranasal tumours treated with alternating carboplatin and doxorubin in conjunction with oral piroxicam: 29 cases

Few veterinary studies have evaluated the response to chemotherapy treatment of canine intranasal tumours, while many have focused on the efficacy of radiation therapy. Given the higher costs and limited access to radiation therapy, alternative treatment options are needed. The study describes a cohort of dogs with histologically confirmed intranasal tumours treated with chemotherapy as a sole therapy. This retrospective study was conducted using data from the Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre (MVSC) database between 2004 and 2017. Dogs with a histologically confirmed intranasal tumour who received chemotherapy treatment were included. Signalment, presenting signs, tumour type, chemotherapy details, adverse events (AEs) and survival times were reviewed. Twenty-nine dogs met the inclusion criteria. Overall median survival time for dogs in the study was 234 days (range 12-1698 days). Median survival for dogs with adenocarcinoma or carcinoma (n = 12) was 280 days, transitional cell carcinoma (n = 6) 163 days, squamous cell carcinoma, anaplastic carcinoma or undifferentiated carcinoma (n = 7) 59 days and all sarcomas (n = 4) 448 days. Adverse events were reported following 28% of treatments and 69% of dogs experienced at least one AE. Twenty four per cent of all dogs experienced grade 3 or 4 toxicities. The chemotherapy protocol was generally well tolerated. The study suggests potential benefit in the use of chemotherapy for dogs with adenocarcinoma, carcinoma and sarcoma.

Intranasal Osteosarcoma in a Dog-A Case Report

Osteosarcoma is the most commonly reported bone tumor in dogs, typically affecting the axial and appendicular skeleton. Involvement of the paranasal sinuses and the nasal cavity is extremely rare. This report describes a 6-year-old, female, cross-breed dog presented with signs of 90 days duration and diagnosed with a mass located in the right nasal cavity. Radiography, rhinoscopy, and computed tomography findings suggested the presence of an intranasal tumor. Osteosarcoma in the nasal cavity was diagnosed based on histopathological examination and clinical and imaging findings. Survival time was 12 months from diagnosis.