Clinical presentation, treatment and outcome of canine malignant mesothelioma: A retrospective study of 34 cases

Larsen Moberg, Hanne; Gramer, Irina; Schofield, Imogen; Blackwood, Laura; Killick, David; Priestnall, L; Guillén, Alexandra

Abstract

Canine malignant mesothelioma (CMM) is a rare and aggressive tumour associated with a poor prognosis. Limited information is available regarding effective treatment options and prognostic factors. The purpose of this retrospective case series was to describe the clinical presentation, treatment and survival in a cohort of dogs with this disease and to investigate possible prognostic factors. Thirty-four dogs were included. Tachypnoea and dyspnoea due to pleural effusion were the most common presenting clinical signs. Twenty-two dogs had a subcutaneous access port placed and 25 dogs were treated with intracavitary and/or intravenous chemotherapy. The main protocols used were single-agent 5-FU (n = 14) and carboplatin single-agent or alternated with mitoxantrone (n = 10). The overall response rate (defined as more than 25% reduction in effusion volume) to chemotherapy treatment was 37% after 3-weeks and 24% after 15-weeks. The median survival time (MST) for all dogs was 195 days (95% CI 53-324). MST was 234 days for dogs receiving chemotherapy and 29 days for dogs not receiving chemotherapy. The 1-year survival rate was 22% for all dogs. Treatment with chemotherapy was the only significant prognostic factor associated with survival (p = .001). Further studies are needed to determine the optimal treatment approach for malignant mesothelioma in dogs. Nevertheless, effusion recurrence should be expected and the prognosis for these patients in the long-term is poor. K E Y W O R D S 5-fluorouracil, carboplatin, dog, intracavitary chemotherapy, mesothelioma

Citation

Larsen Moberg, H., Gramer, I., Schofield, I., Blackwood, L., Killick, D., Priestnall, L., & Guillén, A. (2022). Clinical presentation, treatment and outcome of canine malignant mesothelioma: A retrospective study of 34 cases. Veterinary and Comparative Oncology, 20(1), 304-312. https://doi.org/10.1111/vco.12777

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 9, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Oct 25, 2021
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Deposit Date: Jun 24, 2024
• Journal: Veterinary and Comparative Oncology
• Print ISSN: 1476-5810
• Electronic ISSN: 1476-5829
• Publisher: British Veterinary Oncology Study Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 20
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 304-312
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/vco.12777
• Keywords: General Veterinary
• Additional Information: Received: 2021-07-14; Accepted: 2021-10-09; Published: 2021-10-25