Mast cell tumors represent the most common malignant skin tumor in the dog. This review outlines the incidence, etiology and clinical signs of mast cell tumors. Diagnostic tests, staging and treatments are also discussed.
A 10-year-old female American Pit Bull dog was diagnosed with metastatic undifferentiated
carcinoma of the scapula. Immunohistochemistry showed positive immunoexpression for
cytokeratins (AE1/AE3, 34BE12, CK7) and vimentin, confirming squamous cell carcinoma. No
evidence of nodules was found in the complete physical examination and imaging procedures
conducted. The patient was diagnosed with carcinoma of unknown primary origin. Amputation
and adjuvant chemotherapy with doxorubicin and piroxicam were performed, but the patient
died of respiratory failure after 737 days of diagnosis. Necropsy confirmed
undifferentiated carcinoma infiltrating the lungs and kidneys, and showing the same
immunoexpression as the tumor in the scapula. Amputation associated with chemotherapy
extended the overall survival time of this patient.
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