Module 10: Tumors of the Respiratory System in Dogs and Cats

Question 1

List the most common anatomic sites and tumors that affect the respiratory tract in dogs and cats:

Answer 1

Tumor type in nasal cavity - dogs
- Carcinoma (2/3 of all intranasal tumors)
- adenocarcinoma
- SCC
- Undifferentiated Carcinoma
- Locally a very aggressive disease, a low metastatic rate at the time of diagnosis

Nasal Planum - cats
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- UV exposure; common disease
Nasal Planum - dogs
- SCC
- Labradors and GR
Sinonasal Tumors - dogs
- Risk factors: Dolichocephalic breeds, Urban enviroment, Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke
- 1-2% of all neoplasms in dogs

Question 2

Clinical Signs associated with respiratory tract neoplasia in dogs and cats:

Answer 2

Tumor type in nasal cavity - dogs
- Avg. duration of clinical signs prior to presentation are approximately 2-3 months
- Unilateral epistaxis and/or mucopurulent discharge; progression to bilateral
- Facial deformity
- Unwillingness to open mouth
- Sneezing, dyspnea, stertorous breathing
- Exophthalmos, ocular discharge
- Neurological signs (rare)
- If facial deformity is present the diagnosis is almost always cancer

Nasal Planum - cats
- Variable clinical presentation: erythemic, ulcerated, crusted
- Metastasis at the time of death reported in approx 40%
- Local lymph nodes
Nasal Planum - dogs
- Metastasis reported in 25%
- Locally very invasive and aggressive

Question 3

Diagnostic plan for assessment and staging of a dog or cat with respiratory neoplasia:

Answer 3

Tumor type in nasal cavity - dogs
- CT (or MRI) Scan
- Detection of a mass is NOT specific for NEOPLASIA
- Biopsy techniques:
- Tissue needed for histopathology to confirm the diagnosis
- Endoscopy guided
- Tumor staging based on CT scan:
- Stage 1 = confined to one NASAL passage, paranasal sinus, frontal sinus, no bone involvement beyond turbinats
- Stage 2 = Any bone involvement beyond turbinates, no evidence of orbit/subcutaneous/submucosal mass
- Stage 3 = Orbit involved, or nasopharyngeal or subcutaneous or submucosal mass
- Stage 4 = Tumor causing lysis of the cribiform plate

Nasal Planum - cats
- Surgery - treatment of choice
- 1.7 years
Nasal Planum - dogs
- Surgery - treatment of choice
- Nosectomy/Rostral maxillectomy

Question 4

Radiation Terminology:
Amount of radiation absorbed by patient

Answer 4

Dose

Question 5

Radiation terminology:
Individual treatment of radiation

Answer 5

Fraction