PROGNOSTIC FACTORS FOR SURGICAL-TREATMENT OF SOFT-TISSUE SARCOMAS IN DOGS - 75 CASES (1986-1996)

Objective-To determine results of surgery for treat ment of soft-tissu e sarcomas in dogs and to identify prognostic variables that can be us ed to predict outcome. Design-Retrospective case series. Animals-Dogs with soft-tissue sarcomas that had surgical treatment only. Procedure- Records were examined for clinically relevant data. Histologic samples -were reviewed. Follow-up information was obtained by physical examina tion or telephone conversations with referring veterinarians or owners . Results-75 dogs with soft-tissue sarcomas of the trunk and extremiti es were identified. Median age was 10.6 years. Malignant peripheral ne rve sheath tumors were of a significantly lower grade than other tumor s. Tumors recurred locally in 11 of 75 (15%) dogs. Evaluation for lack of tumor cells al surgical margins was prognostic for local recurrenc e. Metastatic disease developed in 13 of 75 (17%) dogs. Tumor mitotic rate was prognostic for development of metastasis. Twenty-five of 75 ( 33%) dogs died of tumor-related causes. Percentage of tumor necrosis a nd tumor mitotic rate were prognostic for survival time. Median surviv al time was 1,416 days. Clinical Implications-On the basis of a low lo cal recurrence rate and high median survival time, wide excision of tu mor margins or radical surgery appeared to be an effective means for m anaging soft-tissue sarcomas of the trunk and extremities. Analysis of histologic characteristics for prognosis supported use of preoperativ e biopsy. Surgical margins should be evaluated, and early use of aggre ssive surgery is indicated in the management of soft-tissue sarcomas i n dogs.