Alan S. Hammer

Salivary gland neoplasia in the dog and cat: survival times and prognostic factors

Twenty-four dogs and 30 cats with histopathologically confirmed salivary gland neoplasia were retrospectively reviewed in a multi-institutional study. The predominant presenting complaint for animals with salivary gland neoplasia was that of a mass being noted by the owner; other common complaints included halitosis, dysphagia, and exophthalmia. Siamese cats were overrepresented, indicating a possible breed predisposition. The most common histopathological type was simple adenocarcinoma. Cats had more advanced disease at diagnosis than did dogs, and clinical staging was prognostic in dogs. The median survival times for dogs and cats were 550 days and 516 days, respectively.

Hepatic Neoplasia in the Dog and Cat

The histopathologic types of liver tumors in dogs and cats are reviewed with particular emphasis on the presenting signs and distribution within the liver. Ultrasonographic findings are discussed, as well as laboratory abnormalities. Finally, treatment options, prognoses, and survival times are presented, including chemotherapy protocols.

Adjuvant chemotherapy for sarcomas and carcinomas.

The use of adjuvant chemotherapy appears to offer many advantages to the patient with cancer. However, objective information is difficult to compile. Clinical trials all too often have only a small number of patients. In order to best demonstrate the usefulness of adjuvant chemotherapy, many of the cases discussed here had bulky disease. Based on the known principles of chemotherapy, animals with minimal residual disease following surgery would most likely benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. By using the principles discussed at the beginning of this article and information from clinical trials, veterinarians will better be able to inform clients of possible benefits and risks in treating their pets with chemotherapy.