Non-neoplastic Lesions Research Articles

Vulva lesions seen at a tertiary health centre in southwest Nigeria

Background: Some researchers have emphasised the need for more studies on vulvar cancers. The aim of our study is to describe the vulvar lesions identified in biopsies seen in our department over a five-year period to serve as baseline data for future studies. Methods: We conducted a five-year cross-sectional study on all vulva specimens received by the department of Morbid Anatomy and Forensic medicine at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, Nigeria. From the departmental records, we retrieved data on the patients' biodata, medical history, and vulva lesion diagnosis. Results: We recorded 15 vulva biopsies during the study period, with an age range of 13 to 80 years. Two cases were benign tumours, and two cases were inflammatory in nature. A case of a pre-malignant lesion was seen. Nine cases were malignant tumours, all of which are epithelial in origin. We saw two non-neoplastic lesions. These are acute on chronic inflammation and lichen sclerosus et atrophicus. Of the malignant tumours seen, five were well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), two were moderately differentiated SCC, and two were cases of verrucous carcinoma. One case of verrucous carcinoma and a well-differentiated SCC had a background HIV. Conclusion: Vulva lesions are rarely seen at our centre. The absence of preinvasive lesions in our study may be due to the late presentation of cases in clinics or the reluctance of gynaecologists to take biopsies of non-tumoral lesions of the vulva. HIV may be associated with an increased risk of HPV-related cancers.

Basic Principles and Role of Endoscopic Ultrasound in Diagnosis and Differentiation of Pancreatic Cancer from Other Pancreatic Lesions: A Comprehensive Review of Endoscopic Ultrasound for Pancreatic Cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Pancreatic lesions consist of both neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions and often pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge due to similar clinical and radiological features. In recent years, pancreatic lesions have been discovered more frequently as incidental findings due to the increased utilization and widespread availability of abdominal cross-sectional imaging. Therefore, it becomes imperative to establish an early and appropriate diagnosis with meticulous differentiation in an attempt to balance unnecessary treatment of benign pancreatic lesions and missing the opportunity for early intervention in malignant lesions. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has become an important diagnostic modality for the identification and risk stratification of pancreatic lesions due to its ability to provide detailed imaging and acquisition of tissue samples for analysis with the help of fine-needle aspiration/biopsy. The recent development of EUS-based technology, including contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasound, real-time elastography-endoscopic ultrasound, miniature probe ultrasound, confocal laser endomicroscopy, and the application of artificial intelligence has significantly augmented the diagnostic accuracy of EUS as it enables better evaluation of the number, location, dimension, wall thickness, and contents of these lesions. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the role of the different types of EUS available for the diagnosis and differentiation of pancreatic cancer from other pancreatic lesions while discussing their key strengths and important limitations.

Benign and Non-Neoplastic Urinary Tract Lesions

Urine cytology includes multiple benign and non-neoplastic conditions that may mimic urothelial carcinoma. It is important to recognize and to not overcall these to avoid unnecessary procedures and treatment. In this article we review reactive cytological changes of urine secondary to infections, inflammatory conditions, as well as the most common benign proliferations and therapy-related changes.

TGF-β3 from fibroblasts promotes necrotising sialometaplasia by suppressing salivary gland cell proliferation and inducing squamous metaplasia.

Necrotising sialometaplasia (NSM) is a non-neoplastic lesion mainly arising in the minor salivary glands of the oral cavity. In the clinical features, NSM shows swelling with or without ulceration, and can mimic a malignant disease such as squamous cell carcinoma. Histopathologically, NSM usually shows the lobular architecture that is observed in the salivary glands. Additionally, acinar infarction and squamous metaplasia of salivary ducts and acini are observable. The aetiology of this lesion remains unknown, although it has a characteristic feature that sometimes requires clinical and histopathological differentiation from malignancy. In this study, we investigated upregulated genes in NSM compared with normal salivary glands, and focused on the TGF-β3 (TGFB3) gene. The results of the histopathological studies clarified that fibroblasts surrounding the lesion express TGF-β3. Moreover, in vitro studies using mouse salivary gland organoids revealed that TGF-β3 suppressed salivary gland cell proliferation and induced squamous metaplasia. We demonstrated a possible aetiology of NSM by concluding that increased TGF-β3 expression during wound healing or tissue regeneration played a critical role in cell proliferation and metaplasia. © 2024 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Spectrum of the Oral Lesions in a Rural-based Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Central India

Background: The oral cavity is a common site for pathological lesion with a wide spectrum of neoplastic and nonneoplastic lesions. They are either symptomatic or asymptomatic. Some lesions may prove to be premalignant and may be a cause of malignancy in future. Histopathological reporting is very important and essential part because the core finding we provide in reporting significantly influences the treatment part.Material and Methods: This study was carried out in the Department of Pathology, Amaltas Institute of Medical Sciences, Dewas (Madhya Pradesh) from May 2021 to March 2023. The study included all the patients admitted in ENT, Surgery and Oncology wards of hospital presenting with oral pathology and given written informed consent. A total 80 cases were taken in to account and were studied, in relation with age, sex, site predilection.All biopsy specimens and resected tissues/organs were received in 10% formalin solution and were processed as per standard protocol and slides of standard thickness were prepared for histopathological examination. After thorough microscopic study, the diagnosis was made and categorized into major groups (non-neoplastic, benign, borderline and malignant) and subgroups according to type of lesion on histopathological examination.Results: The site of involvement of various lesions shows maximum involvement of buccal mucosa 43(53.75%),followed by tongue 19(23.75%), tonsil 7(8.75%), alveolus 4(5%) , floor of mouth 3(3.75%) and least involvement of lip and palate with 2(2.5%) cases in each. Of the inflammatory lesions tonsils were the commonest site of involvement.Conclusion: We conclude our study with the findings that lesions of buccal mucosa is commonest site andsquamous cell carcinoma was the commonest entity with diversity in lesions and a wide age group of presentation. This emphasizes the role of histopathological study and diagnosis in oral lesions and provides us with valuable information of the lesion being neoplastic or non-neoplastic and timely intervention could be planned.

Clinicopathological study of masses of nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses and its correlation with radiology

Abstract Background: Nasal and paranasal abnormalities frequently represent the primary observations in the otorhinolaryngology domain. Thorough clinical evaluation and radiological methodologies aid in establishing a preliminary diagnosis; however, histopathological examination (HPE) remains indispensable for confirming a definitive diagnosis. The objective is to determine the demographic breakdown of patients exhibiting sinonasal lesions and to evaluate and correlate clinical and radiological observations with histopathological diagnoses. Materials and Methods: This ambispective observational study involved 128 sinonasal lesions diagnosed via histopathology spanning 3 years (2020–2023). All pertinent clinical radiological observations were recorded, and tissue samples underwent staining with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), special stains, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) when necessary. The collected data were organized into tables, and statistical analyses were conducted. Results: Among the 128 cases examined, 98 (76.56%) were identified as non-neoplastic lesions, 14 (10.93%) as benign neoplasms, and 16 (12.50%) as malignant lesions through HPE. The male-to-female ratio stood at 1.2:1. The highest number of cases was observed within the age bracket of 21–40 years. Nasal obstruction emerged as the predominant symptom, accounting for 46 (35.93%) cases. Conclusion: A broad range of lesions can impact the sinonasal tract. While clinical and radiological characteristics may exhibit similarities, histopathology is the ultimate standard for confirming a definitive diagnosis.

Clinicopathologic Evaluation and Management of Twenty Cases of Oral Mucoceles

Background: Oral mucoceles are benign minor salivary gland lesions characterized by a single or multiple, soft, fluctuant nodule, ranging from normal oral mucosal color to deep blue depending upon the extent of the swelling in deeper layers. This study evaluated clinicopathological features, including the etiology and management of oral mucoceles. Methods: Twenty cases of oral mucoceles were diagnosed, and parameters such as age, gender, etiology, site, clinical presentation, including size, any symptoms, and treatment mode underwent evaluation. Results: In 20 cases, the lesions were found to be more common in males compared to females (16:4). The most common site was the lower lip, and the etiology of mucocele was lip biting, with 80% of cases normal in color and size ranging between 5 mm and 10 mm. The most common type based on histopathology evaluation was the extravasation type in almost all cases. Conclusion: The non-neoplastic benign lesions of minor or major salivary glands pose a diagnostic challenge because of their close resemblance to other pathologies and iatrogenic responses. Thus, the clinical knowledge and pathogenesis of these lesions are necessary for the correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Apex Nasi: What’s Happening near the Tip of the Nose?

The apex nasi (colloquially, the tip of the nose) is an anatomically complex region that can be divided into 2 parts: the soft tissue/cartilaginous framework of the most anterior-inferior aspect of the nose and the anterior nasal cavity. Detailed knowledge of local anatomy is helpful to characterize pathology and understand patterns of disease spread. Although many lesions of the apex nasi are readily assessed on physical examination, CT and MR imaging can provide important, often complementary, information about this region. CT well demonstrates osseous anatomy, while MR imaging offers increased specificity for certain conditions, given its superior soft-tissue contrast. Regarding specific pathologies of the region, because cutaneous cancers are common and often involve the apex nasi, they will be discussed in detail, along with potential imaging pitfalls such as perineural tumor spread or coexistence with rhinophyma. Certain rare non-neoplastic or developmental lesions, notably nasolabial cysts and pyriform aperture stenosis, are unique to this region. Vascular lesions such as angiosarcoma and venous malformation may involve the apex nasi, as may nasal septal hematoma and abscess, the latter necessitating immediate treatment. Given the high prevalence of rhinoplasty, the imaging appearance of cosmetic nasal implants and selected rare procedural complications is shown.Learning Objective: To describe the anatomic landmarks of the external nose and anterior nasal cavity and to illustrate common and uncommon pathologies in these locations.

Preoperative cytopathological investigatory aids in the diagnosis of salivary gland lesions.

Salivary gland lesions are a group of heterogeneous lesions inclusive of non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions. History, clinical examination and preoperative investigations attempt to minimise the challenges faced in diagnosing these diverse lesions. Preoperative investigations include imaging and cytopathology. The advent of onsite evaluation methods to ensure sample adequacy and newer reporting systems that assign risk of malignancy has improved the sensitivity and specificity of cytopathology. The scope of this review is limited to the preoperative cytopathological investigations and the diagnostic challenges met in reporting salivary gland tumours.

Aggressive central giant cell granuloma - A radiographic approach toward diagnosis

Central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) is a nonneoplastic proliferative lesion commonly occurring in the mandible but can also occur in the maxilla. The CGCG is divided into aggressive and nonaggressive subtypes. The aggressive type is rare and can be larger in size, rapidly growing, and has higher chances of recurrence. Here, we present a case of aggressive CGCG of the maxillary arch in a female patient with its appropriate investigation and management. The following core competencies are addressed in this article: Medical knowledge, Patient care

Epicardial Space: Comprehensive Anatomy and Spectrum of Disease.

The epicardial space (ES) is the anatomic region located between the myocardium and the pericardium. This space includes the visceral pericardium and the epicardial fat that contains the epicardial coronary arteries, cardiac veins, lymphatic channels, and nerves. The epicardial fat represents the main component of the ES. This fat deposit has been a focus of research in recent years owing to its properties and relationship with coronary gossypiboma plaque and atrial fibrillation. Although this region is sometimes forgotten, a broad spectrum of lesions can be found in the ES and can be divided into neoplastic and nonneoplastic categories. Epicardial neoplastic lesions include lipoma, paraganglioma, metastases, angiosarcoma, and lymphoma. Epicardial nonneoplastic lesions encompass inflammatory infiltrative disorders, such as immunoglobulin G4-related disease and Erdheim-Chester disease, along with hydatidosis, abscesses, coronary abnormalities, pseudoaneurysms, hematoma, lipomatosis, and gossypiboma. Initial imaging of epicardial lesions may be performed with echocardiography, but CT and cardiac MRI are the best imaging modalities to help characterize epicardial lesions. Due to the nonspecific onset of signs and symptoms, the clinical history of a patient can play a crucial role in the diagnosis. A history of malignancy, multisystem diseases, prior trauma, myocardial infarction, or cardiac surgery can help narrow the differential diagnosis. The diagnostic approach to epicardial lesions should be made on the basis of the specific location, characteristic imaging features, and clinical background. ©RSNA, 2024 Test Your Knowledge questions for this article are available in the supplemental material.

An Illustrated Scoping Review of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Characteristics of Canine and Feline Brain Tumors.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used pervasively in veterinary practice for the antemortem diagnosis of intracranial tumors. Here, we provide an illustrated summary of the published MRI features of primary and secondary intracranial tumors of dogs and cats, following PRISMA scoping review guidelines. The PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant records, and input from stakeholders was solicited to select data for extraction. Sixty-seven studies of moderate to low-level evidence quality describing the MRI features of pathologically confirmed canine and feline brain tumors met inclusion criteria. Considerable variability in data inclusion and reporting, as well as low case numbers, prohibited comparative data analyses. Available data support a holistic MRI approach incorporating lesion number, location within the brain, shape, intrinsic signal appearances on multiparametric sequences, patterns of contrast enhancement, and associated secondary changes in the brain to prioritize differential imaging diagnoses, and often allows for accurate presumptive diagnosis of common intracranial tumors. Quantitative MRI techniques show promise for improving discrimination of neoplastic from non-neoplastic brain lesions, as well as differentiating brain tumor types and grades, but sample size limitations will likely remain a significant practical obstacle to the design of robustly powered radiomic studies. For many brain tumor variants, particularly in cats, there remains a need for standardized studies that correlate clinicopathologic and neuroimaging data.

Pyogenic Granuloma of the Gingiva

Pyogenic granuloma is a benign vascular lesion that usually occurs in response to various stimuli caused by chronic irritation, trauma and hormonal factors. These lesions generally occur on the gingiva but can also occur on the lips, tongue and buccal mucosa. A 22 year old female patient came with complaints of a lump on the gingiva between teeth 35 and 36 and felt uncomfortable. I have had complaints since 7 months ago after a filling was made on the left back molar tooth, then 1 day later a lump appeared. Complaints are not accompanied by pain. The treatment plan in this case is to carry out information education communication, scaling, gingivectomy and a histopathological examination to confirm the diagnosis and carry out control and evaluation. Pyogenic granuloma is a benign, non-neoplastic lesion. The clinical picture of this lesion is generally a mass with a soft consistency, painless, and dark red to reddish purple in colour which usually appears as a solitary lesion with a diameter of 5-10 mm and is very fragile, so it bleeds easily due to minor trauma. Management of this lesion can be done with a surgical procedure to completely remove the lesion and then carry out an anatomical histopathological examination to confirm the diagnosis of this lesion. This lesion has no signs of malignancy

Evaluation of the relationship between the expression of AgNOR and Ki67 with the recurrence rate in central granulomatous giant cell lesions: A case-control.

Giant cell granuloma is a local nonneoplastic lesion that is divided into two categories, based on its site of occurrence: Central and peripheral giant cell granuloma. Central giant cell granuloma is an intraosseous lesion that has a tendency to recure even in surgically treated cases. Several studies have proven that there is an association between different lesions clinical behavior and their histological features. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of AgNOR and Ki67 in lesions with and without recurrency. Files and records of 35 patients who had been histologically diagnosed with central giant cell granuloma were investigated. Histological features were studied after performing AgNOR staining and Ki67 marker. The data were analyzed by chi-square, Fisher, and T-test. Acquired data indicated that the count of AgNOR staining and Ki67 marker was significantly higher in lesions with recurrency than the lesions with no recurrency. The same results were attained from Ki67 intensity. The current study indicated that AgNOR staining and Ki67 marker have prognostic value in predicting recurrency of central giant cell granuloma lesions.

FNAC as preoperative diagnostic tool for neoplastic and non-neoplastic breast lesions with special reference to IAC standardised reporting in Coastal population - A teaching hospital experience

Breast cancer is steadily increasing worldwide. This study is based on application of recently proposed International Academy of cytology (IAC) Yokohama categorisation system of Breast cytology from C1 to C5. (C1-Insufficient material, C2-Benign, C3- Atypical, C4-Suspicious & C5-Malignant). We aim to categorize the breast lesions based on the above-mentioned categorization scheme (IAC, Yokohama 2016) along with histopathological correlation (wherever possible). This was a retrospective observational study conducted from January 2018 to December 2021 in the Department of Pathology of a tertiary care hospital involving coastal population. Ethical clearance was taken from institutional reviw committee. All patients with palpable breast lumps who had undergone FNAC were included in the study. Patient details and data were collected from the case records maintained in Department of Pathology. All quantitative parameters were described through descriptive statistics. Total scores were computed for all the risk factors. Sensitivity, specificity, Positive Predictive Value, Negative Predictive Value calculated. Risk of malignancy(ROM) was calculated for each category. A total 200 patients, with age group ranging from 17 - 67 years with breast lesions were included in the study. C1 lesions were found in 5 cases, C2 in 152 cases, C3 in 11 cases, C4 in 4 cases, and C5 in 28 cases. Cytohistological correlation obtained in 94 cases with concordance noted in 89 cases and discordance in 5 cases. Breast FNAC cytology categorization according to IAC Yokohama system increases accuracy of diagnosis and helps clinician in appropriate patient management.

Histopathological spectrum of skin lesions in a tertiary health care centre – A retrospective study

Skin is the body’s largest and most complex organ, performing a wide range of functions. Environmental factors, genetics, cleanliness standards and social norms all influence the type of skin lesions that exist in different countries and regions. The skin lesions can vary from inflammatory to neoplastic. In clinically alike dermatoses, skin biopsy is used to provide significant information to the pathologist and dermatologist. The aim of the study is to identify and discuss the histopathology of different types of skin lesions, as well as their prevalence, age, sex distribution and location of lesions among hospital patients and compare the results with other relevant studies. The study was a retrospective observational study undertaken for the duration of three years in the Pathology Department of a tertiary health care center. Skin biopsy slides stained with hematoxylin and eosin were studied and classified after a detailed histopathological study under light microscope. 178 cases of skin lesions in total were evaluated having a 1.5:1 male to female ratio. Nonneoplastic lesions constituted 30.33% of skin lesions, while benign and malignant tumors constituted 55.05% and 14.6% of skin lesions respectively. In neoplastic lesions, keratinocytic tumors were the most common tumor type. The most common malignant tumor was squamous cell carcinoma, whereas epidermal inclusion cyst was the most prevalent benign tumor. The head and neck were the most prevalent sites for skin lesions. Most of the skin lesions can be accurately diagnosed by histopathological evaluation of biopsy of lesions in combination with clinical findings.

Discussion on pathological diagnosis of vascular diseases based on ISSVA classification

The diagnosis of vascular diseases is not only about distinguishing neoplastic or non-neoplastic lesions, but also focusing more on emphasizing the essence of the disease, namely the presence or absence of endothelial cell proliferation, and further to distinguishing true hemangioma tumors or vascular malformation. This article is based on the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA) classification, which is widely used in clinical practice, and discusses the related pathological diagnosis issues of vascular diseases.

Advances in the pathogenesis of vulvar lichen sclerosus.

Vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) is a chronic non-neoplastic skin lesion characterized by vulvar itching, pain, atrophy, whitening of the skin and mucous membranes, and gradual atrophy and disappearance of the labia minora, which can eventually lead to vulvar scarring, causing functional impairment and seriously affecting the patient's physical and mental health. VLS can occur at any age, however, its pathogenesis and etiology are not fully understood. Considerable progress has been made in related research on genetic susceptibility factors, autoimmune disorders, collagen metabolism abnormalities, and their triggering factors in disease formation and progression. This article reviews the etiology of vulvar lichen sclerosus.

Risk factor analysis and clinicopathological characteristics of female dogs with mammary tumours from a single-center retrospective study in Poland

This is a comprehensive retrospective study to characterize female dogs with canine mammary tumors (CMTs) using a dataset retrieved from the archives of the Division of Animal Pathology, Institute of Veterinary Medicine in Warsaw, and to identify prognostic factors. Clinical and histopathological data of 1447 dogs with CMTs were included. Malignant tumours were found in 83.3% (n = 1206), benign tumours in 11.7% (n = 169), and non-neoplastic lesions in 5.0% (n = 72) of dogs. Dogs most often had grade II carcinomas (38.2%, 215/562) of a single histological subtype (88.5%, 1281/1447), mostly simple carcinoma (35.3%, 510/1447). Dogs with a median age of 10 years significantly often had larger (≥ 3 cm) and malignant CMTs, whereas intact females had smaller tumours (median size 2.0 cm). However, the threshold value for the age of the dog in the differentiation of malignant and non-neoplastic/benign masses could not be determined. Most females were hormonally active (76.4%, 372/487). Hormonally active dogs significantly more often had multiple tumours. Multiple tumours were significantly smaller (median 2.5 cm) than single ones. Among pedigree dogs, small-breed dogs were mostly recorded (43%, 428/1006). Twelve breeds had an increased risk of CMTs, regardless of tumour behaviour, compared with the theoretical distribution of pedigree dogs in Poland. Four breeds were often affected only by malignant and other four breeds only by non-neoplastic/benign CMT. Large-breed dogs were significantly younger and affected by larger CMT (median 4 cm) compared with small- and medium-breed dogs. Ninety dogs with a malignant CMT and complete records were included in the full analysis of CMT-specific survival (CMT-SS) with a median follow-up time of 20.0 months. We showed that the timing of ovariohysterectomy in relation to mastectomy was significantly associated with grade, CMT-SS, and CMT-related death. We indicated the low diagnostic accuracy of palpation of regional lymph nodes (RLN) in the prediction of their metastatic involvement. By multivariable analysis, dogs with neoplastic emboli, tumour ulceration, and simple or complex carcinoma had a significantly higher risk of local recurrence. Tumour size > 3 cm was as a strong independent predictor of lung metastases. Compared with dogs with an easily separated localized tumour, dogs with a multiple/diffuse malignant CMT pattern had a fivefold higher risk of death. The risk of death was significantly higher in the presence of neoplastic emboli (~ fivefold) and tumour ulceration (~ fourfold). Furthermore, the presence of neoplastic emboli and large tumour size were independent predictors of CMT-related death.

Pathological Characterization and Risk Factors of Splenic Nodular Lesions in Dogs (Canis lupus familiaris).

In dogs, the spleen is a secondary lymphoid organ that can be affected by both neoplastic and non-neoplastic nodules. In general, few studies relate histopathological diagnosis to tumor size and the number of nodules in spleen biopsies. Some of these studies are inconclusive regarding the difference between neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions and have small sample sizes or do not consider all splenic lesions. This study aimed to characterize splenic masses and determine risk factors for spleen tumors in dogs. A total of 507 histological reports corresponding to the diagnosis of splenic lesions in dogs from a private laboratory of animal pathology in the Metropolitan Region, Chile, were used. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression. The most frequent neoplastic and non-neoplastic diagnoses were hemangiosarcoma and hyperplasia, respectively. Most of the cases occurred in male (265 cases, 52.3%), senior (421 cases, 83%), and purebred individuals (342 cases, 67.5%). The most affected breeds were the Cocker Spaniel, German Shepherd, and Labrador Retriever. The most frequent lesion was a single nodule. The variables that exhibited a greater risk for the presentation of splenic neoplasia were male sex (odds ratio (OR) = 16.21; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.741-150.879; p = 0.014), the presence of two or more splenic nodules (OR = 3.94; 95% CI 2.168-7.177; p < 0.001), an increase in nodule size greater than 2 cm (OR for quartiles 2, 3 and 4 of 2.2; 95% CI 1.036-4.941; p = 0.041, 2.9; 95% CI 1.331-6.576; p = 0.008, and 3.6; 95% CI 1.562-8.499; p = 0.003, respectively), and increasing age (OR = 1.23; 95% CI 1.048-1.436; p = 0.011). On the other hand, males exhibited a lower risk as age increases (OR = 0.76; 95% CI 0.615-0.928; p = 0.008). In conclusion, this study identified that males, multinodular presentation, nodule size, and age are risk factors for the occurrence of splenic neoplasia in dogs, knowledge that will contribute to the diagnostic management of dogs with spleen lesions.