Thyroidectomy in dogs with thyroid tumors: Survival analysis in 144 cases (1994‐2018)

Abstract

Background Few studies have assessed predictors of outcome in dogs with thyroid tumors undergoing thyroidectomy. Objective To estimate the survival and identify prognostic factors in dogs with thyroid tumors treated by thyroidectomy. Animals A total of 144 client‐owned dogs with thyroid neoplasia that underwent thyroidectomy. Methods Retrospective study. Data for analysis included hospital attended and year of surgery, signalment, thyroxine concentration, thyroid tumor features (lobe involvement, size, invasiveness, histopathological type), thrombosis, metastasis, additional surgery and therapy, administration of adjuvant chemotherapy. The association of predictors with survival (time from surgery to death) were assessed by calculating cause‐specific hazard ratios (HR cs ) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Causes of death were classified as thyroid‐related or because of other cause. Results Overall median survival time was 802 days (CI95% = 723‐1015 days); 89 dogs (77.4%) survived >500 days. Metastases were identified at admission in 12 (8.3%) dogs and were associated with higher thyroid cancer‐related fatality (HR = 5.83, CI95% = 1.56‐21.78; P = .009). Thrombosis occurred in 40 dogs and was associated with increased risk of death because of other cause (HR = 2.73, CI95% = 1.18‐6.35; P = .019). Nonfollicular carcinoma (HR = 4.17, CI95% = 1.27‐13.69; P = .018) and administration of chemotherapy (HR = 3.45, CI95% = 1.35‐8.82; P = .01) were associated with higher risk of thyroid cancer‐related death. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Dogs with thyroid tumors undergoing thyroidectomy have a long life expectancy. Despite the rare presence of nonfollicular carcinoma and metastases, thyroidectomy should still be considered in some of these dogs.

Reporte de caso clínico: Carcinoma anaplásico de tiroides en paciente canino de 9 años

“…El tratamiento del carcinoma tiroideo consiste en cirugía, radioterapia, quimioterapia o una combinación de ambas (Fineman et al, 1998), debiendo considerarse que los perros con tumores de tiroides sometidos a tiroidectomía tienen una larga esperanza de vida (Enache et al, 2023).…”

Sodium iodide symporter immunolabelling as a predictor of clinical iodide uptake in canine thyroid carcinoma: A preliminary study

“…Furthermore, up to 45% of dogs may have lymph node metastasis at the time of surgery, contributing to the risk of locoregional recurrence 9 . Distant metastasis is identifiable in approximately 31%–38% of dogs at the time of diagnosis and 4%–21% may develop distant metastasis following surgery 7,10–14 …”

“…Thyroid carcinomas vary in presentation, with some demonstrating relatively indolent behaviour, while others may be locally aggressive and/or metastasize. Although median survival times after resection are in the order of 2 to 3 years, [4][5][6][7] gross vascular invasion is relatively common and can complicate surgical resection. 4,8 Furthermore, up to 45% of dogs may have lymph node metastasis at the time of surgery, contributing to the risk of locoregional recurrence.…”

“…9 Distant metastasis is identifiable in approximately 31%-38% of dogs at the time of diagnosis and 4%-21% may develop distant metastasis following surgery. 7,[10][11][12][13][14] Given these challenges, effective options for adjuvant therapy are needed. There is currently no evidence to support cytotoxic chemotherapy in dogs with thyroid carcinoma.…”