Page 9 - RVC Clinical Connections - Summer 2025

Clinical research
LUNG LOBECTOMY AND ADJUVANT
TREATMENT OF CARCINOMA IN DOGS

Matteo Rossanese, Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Surgery

e reviewed the medical records Results and clinical significance negatively influence survival is likely to be the
of 89 dogs that underwent lung Of the 89 dogs, the median age was development of further metastatic disease.
W lobectomy for primary lung 11 years and the median body weight 23 kg. Therefore, it is important that intrathoracic
carcinoma between 2005 and 2022 across All dogs underwent thoracotomy and lung lymph nodes are always evaluated and
four European veterinary institutions. The lobectomy to remove the primary tumour. possibly biopsied or removed at the time of
study was conducted in collaboration with Postoperative complications occurred in surgery.
four co-authors based in Italy. 12.4% of dogs and were considered major Further studies are warranted to
Our objectives were to describe the in 5.6% of patients, including pneumo- and determine the optimal case management
outcomes in dogs treated with surgery, with haemothorax. and to investigate the efficacy of adjuvant
or without adjuvant chemotherapy, and to Median survival time was 252 days (range medical treatment for primary epithelial lung
identify prognostic factors associated with between 6 to 1,558 days) and the overall cancer in dogs.
survival. progression-free interval was 140 days This subject is not just of clinical and
Inclusion criteria required that dogs had (range 7 to 684 days). The one, two and academic interest to me but has a deep,
undergone thoracic CT for staging, had three-year survival rates were 61%, 47% personal significance. Below I discuss my
lung lobectomy for a primary epithelial lung and 30%, respectively. own dog, Bettie.
tumour, comprehensive clinical records, The presence of clinical signs at
histopathological diagnosis, and a minimum presentation, pleural effusion, completeness Bettie’s story
of six months follow-up. of surgical margins, histopathological When Bettie was diagnosed with lung
features and use of adjuvant chemotherapy cancer, I was devastated. I knew she
Key data extracted did not influence survival. However, needed surgery and chemotherapy, and I
Data retrieved included signalment, asymptomatic dogs and dogs where was willing to do anything to give her more
body weight, physical examination the tumours were completely excised time. As a soft tissue surgeon, it can be
and preoperative findings, tumour were reported to have a longer survival, incredibly hard to hand your own dog over
characteristics, surgical treatment, suggesting that significance was not to someone else, but I had complete trust
postoperative complications, time to reached possibly due to low numbers. in my colleagues. Bettie underwent surgery
discharge, histopathological diagnosis, Histological grade and histotype did not the very next day.
recurrence and use/type of chemotherapy. influence survival, although this can likely She recovered remarkably well, and
Histopathological findings were be related to a minority of cases being within just a few days, she was back to her
classified into aggressive histotype (e.g. diagnosed as more aggressive. usual, happy self. Once fully recovered, she
adenosquamous carcinoma, high grade, Dogs with maximum tumour diameter was referred to our outstanding Oncology
degree of differentiation), together with ≥ 5 cm had a reduced survival compared team and began chemotherapy. Although
cytological or histopathological examination to patients with smaller tumours (median her cancer was aggressive, we were able
of the draining lymph nodes and a diagnosis survival time 284 days vs. 717 days). to give her more than six extra months of
of metastatic disease. Dogs with lymph node metastasis had a good-quality life.
Lymph node evaluation was based on reduced survival compared to patients with What made this time so special was that
CT findings, cytology or histopathology, and no evidence of local metastasis (median Bettie remained her joyful, affectionate
nodes were biopsied or removed selectively, survival time 162 days vs. 614 days). self throughout her treatment. She never
but not routinely. The reason lymph node involvement can stopped wagging her tail or greeting the
hospital staff with enthusiasm.
I will always be profoundly grateful to the
incredible team for their exceptional care,
compassion, and dedication. They not only
extended Bettie’s life but ensured that it
was happy and full of love. Those extra six
months meant everything to me.

Reference: E. Treggiari, G. Romanelli, P.
Valenti, V. Montinaro, M. Rossanese (2025)
‘Evaluation of lung lobectomy and adjuvant
treatment for primary pulmonary carcinoma
in dogs: 89 cases (2005-2022)’, JSAP

For small animal referrals, please call:
01707 666399
Email:
qmhreception@rvc.ac.uk
Bettie

Summer 2025 9