Published in Veterinary Medicine, L. Garrett examined current knowledge on canine mast cell tumors (MCTs), the most common malignant skin cancer in dogs. Although many MCTs are successfully treated with appropriate local therapy, a subset displays aggressive biological behavior with the potential for systemic spread.
The review emphasizes that variability in tumor behavior is a central challenge in managing MCTs. While some tumors remain localized and curable, others metastasize to regional lymph nodes, liver, spleen, and additional organs, effectively becoming a systemic disease. This unpredictability complicates clinical decision-making.
Garrett outlines approaches to the diagnosis of MCTs, noting that accurate identification is essential but not sufficient for predicting outcome. Because histologic appearance and clinical presentation do not always align with biological behavior, determining individual prognosis remains difficult.
The article discusses ongoing controversies surrounding staging, particularly whether and when to perform diagnostic tests to assess metastatic spread. Given the potential for aggressive disease in a subset of cases, clinicians must balance the benefits of extensive staging against cost, invasiveness, and clinical relevance.
Another major area of debate addressed in the review concerns treatment strategies for local control. While surgery is often curative for low-risk tumors, uncertainty persists regarding the optimal use of adjunctive therapies such as radiation or chemotherapy in more aggressive forms of the disease.
Drawing on published studies, Garrett provides evidence-based recommendations for managing aggressive MCTs while acknowledging the limits of current knowledge. The review underscores the need for individualized treatment planning and continued research to improve prognostic accuracy and therapeutic outcomes in canine mast cell tumor management.
Garrett, L. (2014). Canine mast cell tumors: diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Veterinary Medicine, published August 12, 2014.
