Abstract
BackgroundPrevious research has indicated a breed predisposition to gastric carcinoma in dogs. However, results to date are inconsistent since several studies have failed to prove such a predisposition. Better knowledge of breeds at risk could facilitate early detection of gastric carcinoma in dogs. The aim of the study was to retrospectively investigate the proportion and possible breed predisposition to canine gastric carcinoma using the Norwegian Canine Cancer Register for calculations of proportional morbidity ratios (PMRs) for the period 1998–2009.ResultsHistologically verified tumours recorded in the Norwegian Canine Cancer Register were studied (n = 19,715). A total of 31 (0.16%) cases of canine gastric carcinomas were identified. The median age of affected dogs was 10 years. The most commonly reported clinical signs were vomiting, anorexia, and weight loss. Males had significantly higher odds of gastric carcinoma than females (P = 0.02). The PMR with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated for each breed, and a breed predisposition was identified. Individuals of the breeds Tervuren (PMR 56.1), Bouvier des Flandres (PMR 36.5), Groenendael (PMR 34.5), Collie (PMR 26.1), Standard poodle (PMR 7.6), and Norwegian elkhound (PMR 6.1) had a significantly increased risk of developing gastric carcinoma.Discussion and conclusionThe proportion of cases of gastric carcinoma recorded in the Norwegian Canine Cancer Register was found to be 0.16%, and a breed predisposition was identified. The breed predisposition observed in the current study indicates a genetic susceptibility to gastric carcinoma.
Highlights
Previous research has indicated a breed predisposition to gastric carcinoma in dogs
The 13 cases which had been diagnosed with gastric cancer in the register, and which were not diagnosed as carcinomas, were found to be two carcinoma in situ, one adenoma, one hyperplasia, two metastasized tumours with unknown primary tumours, and six round cell tumours
14 of the 31 cases originated from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, and the remaining 17 cases originated from private clinics
Summary
Previous research has indicated a breed predisposition to gastric carcinoma in dogs. results to date are inconsistent since several studies have failed to prove such a predisposition. Canine gastric cancer is rarely diagnosed and is reported to account for approximately 0.1–0.5% of canine neoplasias [1,2,3]. It is still more prevalent in dogs than in other domestic animals [4]. The most common clinical signs associated with gastric carcinoma are vomiting, anorexia, and weight loss. The majority of canine patients have had clinical signs for approximately four months or less by the time of diagnosis, as much as 18 months’ duration is reported [3,5,6,8,14]. The most common sites reported for metastases are the regional lymph nodes, with others being the omentum, duodenum, liver, pancreas, spleen, oesophagus, adrenal glands, and lungs [3,5,7,9]
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