Cutaneous neoplasms in dogs: 656 cases (2007-2014) from Cuiabá, MT

Abstract

Canine cutaneous neoplasms present high and relevant prevalence throughout Brazil. Here we determine the frequency and epidemiological characteristics of canine cutaneous neoplasms in dogs diagnosed at the Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology of the Federal University of Mato Grosso (LPV-UFMT), Cuiabá, from 2007 to 2014. The necropsy and biopsy protocols from canine cutaneous neoplasms diagnosed at the LPV-UFMT were reviewed. Data regarding age, sex, breed of affected dogs, anatomical location, size, histomorphological diagnosis and biological behavior of the tumors were evaluated through a descriptive statistical analysis. In addition, the χ2 test was used for associations between biological behavior and mass size. Of the 3566 examinations performed, 656 (18.4%) were diagnosed as cutaneous tumors being adult and old dogs of Pit Bull, Boxer and Poodle races most affected. Among the diagnoses, 11 morphological patterns were the most prevalent, being mastocytoma, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and tumors of vascular origin most frequently reported. In relation to the anatomical site, the head was the most affected. Most of the benign tumors were less than 1cm in diameter and the malignant were 3 to 5cm. The increase of neoplasms in adults and old age dogs may be associated to the sum of damage caused by carcinogenic agents and the immunological impairment.