A. Nieto et al., Immunohistologic detection of estrogen receptor alpha in canine mammary tumors: Clinical and pathologic associations and prognostic significance, VET PATH, 37(3), 2000, pp. 239-247
Citations number
50
Categorie Soggetti
Veterinary Medicine/Animal Health","Medical Research Diagnosis & Treatment
Eighty-nine canine mammary tumors and dysplasias of 66 bitches were investi
gated to determine the immunohistochemical expression of classical estrogen
receptor (ER-alpha) and its clinical and pathologic associations and progn
ostic value. A complete clinical examination was performed and reproductive
history was evaluated. After surgery, all animals were followed-up for 18
months, with clinical examinations every 3-4 months. ER-alpha expression wa
s hi her in tumors of genitally intact and young bitches (P < 0.01, P < 0.0
1) and in animals with regular estrous periods (P = 0.03). Malignant tumors
of the bitches with a previous clinical history of pseudopregnancy express
ed significantly more ER-alpha (P = 0.04). Immunoexpression of ER-alpha dec
reased significantly with tumor size (P = 0.05) and skin ulceration (P = 0.
01). Low levels of ER-alpha were significantly associated with lymph node i
nvolvement (P < 0.01). Malignant tumors had lower ER-alpha expression than
did benign tumors (P < 0.01). Proliferation index measured by proliferating
cell nuclear antigen immunostaining was inversely con-elated with ER-alpha
scores (P = 0.05) in all tumors. Low ER-alpha levels in primary malignant
tumors were significantly associated with the occurrence of metastases in t
he follow-up (P = 0.03). Multivariate analyses were performed to determine
the prognostic significance of some follow-up variables. ER-alpha value, Ki
-67 index, and age were independent factors that could predict disease-free
survival. Lymph node status, age, and ER-alpha index were independent prog
nostic factors for the overall survival. The immunohistochemical detection
of ER-alpha in canine mammary tumors is a simple technique with prognostic
value that could be useful in selecting appropriate hormonal therapy.