Thyroid Cancer in Dogs: An Update Based on 638 Cases (1995–2005)

Abstract

The goal of this study was to update the descriptive statistics of thyroid cancer by using data from multiple institutions collected through the Veterinary Medical Database (VMDB). Information was collected and reported from cases of canine thyroid cancer submitted to the VMDB between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2005. Odds ratio (OR) analysis was performed on breeds that had > or =3% of the total number of dogs with thyroid cancer; ORs for each age category were also determined. Thyroid cancer represented 1.1% of all neoplasms during the time period of interest. Golden retrievers, beagles, and Siberian huskies all had significantly increased ORs for developing thyroid cancer. No sex predisposition was evident, but dogs between 10 and 15 years of age had a significantly increased chance of developing thyroid disease. Carcinomas and adenocarcinomas represented 90% of thyroid cancers, while adenomas represented 9.3%. Thyroid carcinoma and adenocarcinoma continue to be uncommon in our canine population. Older dogs are still more commonly affected, and this study is in agreement with previous studies that golden retrievers and beagles are overrepresented. A new finding is that Siberian huskies are also overrepresented. Carcinomas represent a much higher proportion of thyroid cancers than previously reported, and adenomas are likely incidental findings on necropsy. Thyroid cancer should be high on the list of differentials for a neck mass in older, large-breed dogs, as they make up 1.1% of the cancer cases reported. The overwhelming majority of thyroid cancers are carcinomas, and they are most common in golden retrievers, beagles, and Siberian huskies.

One Hundred Two Tumors in 100 Goats (1987–2011)

“…Thyroid carcinoma is uncommon in domestic species other than dogs, 7 and prevalence increases with age. 33 Reported caprine sebaceous tumors include a sebaceous epithelioma 19 and a basosquamous carcinoma with sebaceous differentiation. 34 Misdiagnosis might contribute to this apparent rarity, as 2 of 3 cases in this study were originally diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma or liposarcoma.…”

Post-surgical treatment of thyroid carcinoma in dogs with retinoic acid 9 cis improves patient outcome

“…All HE-stained slides were reviewed by a two pathologist who were blinded to clinical reports. Thus, tumours were classified according to their histological characteristics in adenomas or carcinomas and their subtypes (Kiupel et al, 2008;Wucherer and Wilke 2010). The distinction between adenoma and carcinoma was based on histological evidence of capsular invasion, vascular invasion, or metastases.…”

“…Thyroid carcinomas are classified according to their histological features and origin as: a) follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC, arises from follicular cells); b) medullary thyroid carcinoma; and c) anaplastic (Kiupel et al, 2008;Meissner and Warren, 1969;Wucherer and Wilke, 2010). Follicular thyroid carcinomas are further divided into well differentiated (dFTC) follicular, dFTC follicular compact, dFTC compact, dFTC papillary, poorly differentiated, undifferentiated, or carcinosarcoma.…”

“…In dFCT cases, radiation therapy has been associated with a median survival time of 28 months (Verschueren et al, 1991;Turrel et al, 2006). Despite the apparent success of surgery and radiation in the management of localized TC, up to 80% of canine patients have recurrences of TC or develop metastases during the course of their disease (Patnaik and Lieberman, 1991;Carver et al, 1995;DeLellis, 2004;Kiupel et al, 2008;Sipos et al, 2008;Wucherer et al, 2010). The limitation of radiotherapy is its high costs, the need of an appropriate infrastructure, and the legal regulations in each country.…”

Primary brain involvement of disseminated histiocytic sarcoma in a Rottweiler dog - histopathology, ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and 7 T-magnetic resonance imaging findings: a case report

“…Thyroid carcinomas represent 90% of thyroid tumours in dogs and can arise either from follicular cells (follicular thyroid carcinoma) or parafollicular cells (parafollicular, C cell or medullary thyroid carcinoma) (Kiupel et al 2008;Wucherer and Wilke 2010). In addition to this classification of thyroid carcinomas, rare cases of medullary carcinoma accompanied by follicular-derived components have been described in humans (Hales et al 1982;Pfaltz et al 1983).…”