Clinical study for diagnosis and treatment of canine mammary neoplasms (CMNs) using different modalities

The study was performed on 40 canines presented with the history of any swelling or growth in one or all of the mammary glands. Signalment and history was recorded properly and then the animals were subjected to detailed physical examination. Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of the tumorous mass was taken to give preliminary diagnosis. The distant metastasis was confirmed via lymph node palpation, chest radiography and ultrasonography. Based on treatment regimen followed the animals were divided into two groups: group I (n= 29) in which only surgery was performed and group II (n= 6) in which surgery as well as chemotherapy was performed while remaining 5 animals were not given any treatment. Different haematological (Hb, TLC, DLC and PCV) and biochemical (BUN, CRTN, ALT, AST, ALKP and TP) were recorded preoperatively, postoperatively and after chemotherapy at required intervals. In group II animals chemotherapy was started 15 days after surgery and the regimen followed was inj. Vincristine @ 0.5mg/m²BSA and inj. Methotrexate @ 915mg/m²BSA, i.v. on day 1 followed by tab. Cyclophosphamide @ 50mg/m² po from 2^nd to 5^th day. Maximum (57.5%) no. of cases were recorded in Samoyed breed and the median age of affected animals was 10.8 years (2–15). Diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of FNAB were 77.14%, 78.78% and 100% respectively. 74.28% of cases showed pulmonary metastasis in lung radiography. All haematological and biochemical parameters remained within normal range during the course of therapy except significant decrease in ALKP values after surgery in both groups. Majority (96.96%) of the neoplasms were malignant and there was no significant difference in the mean survival time and survival rate after surgery in both groups and among different surgical technique. The most significant finding was that all the live animals in group II were less than 8 years of age suggesting that the combination used in the present study was safe and effective in comparatively young animals.