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Biomedical subjects

K A Hahn

Publications and source records attributed to K A Hahn.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Primary lung tumors in cats: 86 cases (1979-1994).

OBJECTIVE: To classify histologic type and morphology of primary lung tumors in cats, to describe clinical findings in these cats, and to determine whether clinical findings were associated with histologic type or morphology. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 86 cats with histologically confirmed primary lung tumors. PROCEDURE: Medical records for cats treated between 1979 and 1994 at any of 14 participating veterinary referral hospitals were reviewed. RESULTS: Weight loss, lethargy, and dyspnea were the most common clinical signs. Solitary or multiple pulmonary masses were seen on radiographs from 53 of 79 cats; effusion was seen on radiographs from the other 26. In 45 cats, tumors involved a single lung lobe. Caudal lung lobes were more commonly affected than were cranial lung lobes. Sixty-five cats had metastases. Tumors were classified as bronchial (n = 65), bronchiolar-alveolar (9), or other (12) and as poorly differentiated (59), moderately differentiated (20), or well differentiated (7). Breed, age, sex, weight, clinical signs, duration of clinical signs, and radiographic findings were not associated with histologic type or morphology. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: To identify possible occult primary lung tumors, thoracic radiography should be performed on cats with clinical signs of long duration, including weight loss, lethargy, and dyspnea.

Adenocarcinoma

Amputation and dexniguldipine as treatment for canine appendicular osteosarcoma.

The biological behavior of osteosarcoma in dogs is similar to that in humans and the dog has been suggested as a model for the disease in humans. Because occult metastatic disease is common at presentation, systemic therapy is necessary. The dihydropyridine, dexniguldipine hydrochloride (B859-35), is a potent inhibitor of protein-kinase-C(PKC)-stimulated cell proliferation and has shown therapeutic activity in experimentally induced neuroendocrine hamster lung tumors and in a mammary cancer cell line. In human osteosarcoma cell lines, PKC activity can be down-regulated, resulting in increased sensitivity to cisplatin. Since these results supported the involvement of PKC inhibitors in the therapeutic management of osteosarcoma, we performed a prospective, randomized clinical trial using dogs with naturally occurring appendicular osteosarcoma to determine the therapeutic potential of dexniguldipine. Dogs received either no drug treatment (control group, n = 8), standard treatment (e.g., cisplatin, n = 14), or dexniguldipine treatment (n = 14) following amputation. Dexniguldipine- and cisplatin-treated dogs had a longer median remission duration and survival time than untreated dogs (P < 0.05); however, dexniguldipine-treated dogs had a shorter survival time than cisplatin-treated dogs (P < 0.05). The results of this study demonstrate that dexniguldipine has significant activity in the inhibition of canine osteosarcoma micrometastases. The identification of a tumor model that may be responsive to this class of antiproliferative agents warrants further clinical investigation to determine the optimum dosage of dexniguldipine and the role it may have in the therapeutic management of canine osteosarcoma.

Amputation, Surgical

Bilateral renal metastases of nasal chondrosarcoma in a dog.

Chondrosarcoma is the most common nonepithelial sinonasal neoplasm in the dog, and metastasis is considered rare. A 7-year-old Irish Setter had bilateral renal enlargement 17 months following surgery and radiotherapy for a primary nasal chondrosarcoma. Histologic evaluation revealed chondrosarcoma metastases in both kidneys. A diagnosis of nasal chondrosarcoma with bilateral renal metastasis was made. The clinical importance of this report is that routine recommendations for the evaluation of regional and/or distant metatasis in a dog with a dignosis of nasal chondrosarcoma, namely routine whole body physical examination and thoracic radiography, failed to demonstrate the presence of abdominal metatases, which ultimately led to the demise of this dog. The biologically aggressive nature of this chondrosarcoma of the nasal cavity indicates that additional information is needed before a prognosis can be reliably established for dogs with this tumor type.

Animals

Hematologic and systemic toxicoses associated with carboplatin administration in cats.

OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence and severity of carboplatin-induced dose-limiting toxicoses in the cat. ANIMALS: 9 healthy, 6- to 7-month-old cats weighing 4.7 (range, 3.0 to 6.5) kg. PROCEDURE: Cats were given a single i.v. bolus of carboplatin at a dosage of 150 (n = 3), 200 (n = 3), or 250 (n = 3) mg/m2 of body surface area. RESULTS: Dose-limiting neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were significant in all cats given carboplatin at 200 or 250 mg/m2. Weight loss, changes in appetite, and evidence of respiratory difficulty, as well as vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy were not observed at any time during the 28-day period. At a highest dosage (250 mg/m2), the neutrophil nadir (560 +/- 303 neutrophils/microliters) was observed on day 17 and the platelet count nadir (96,500 +/- 11,815 platelets/microliters) was observed on day 14 after carboplatin administration. CONCLUSIONS: Carboplatin appears to be safe and clinically well-tolerated when given i.v. as a single bolus at a dosage of 200 mg/m2 to clinically normal cats. The dose-limiting toxicity of a single i.v. administered bolus is neutropenia. The nadir of a 200 mg/m2 i.v. administered dose occurs on day 17 (1,110 +/- 165 neutrophils/microliters) and neutropenia (< 2,000 neutrophils/microliters) lasts from day 14 through day 25 after carboplatin administration. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The fatal dose-related pulmonary toxicosis observed in cisplatin-treated cats was inapparent in carboplatin-treated cats. To adequately determine the therapeutic role of carboplatin in tumor-bearing cats, a moderately tolerated dose of carboplatin of 200 mg/m2 given i.v. once every 4 weeks should be considered.

Animals

Repeated physical and cytologic characterizations of subcutaneous postvaccinal reactions in cats.

OBJECTIVES: To examine local reactions and short-term cytologic responses of cats to administration of rabies virus (RV); FeLV; and combined feline rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia virus (FRCPV) vaccines. ANIMALS: 9 healthy 6- to 7-month-old specific-pathogen-free cats. PROCEDURE: One-milliliter doses of the aforementioned vaccines were administered SC (at different sites) to healthy, specific-pathogen-free cats. Each cat also received 1 ml of sterile saline solution SC as a control. Injection sites were visually examined and palpated daily for 4 weeks. Palpable lesions were measured by use of calipers. Temperature of the vaccination sites was measured weekly by use of a thermocouple. Aspirates were taken from vaccination sites weekly, and smears were submitted for cytologic analysis. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in lesion surface temperature among injection sites at any time. Injections of saline solution and FeLV vaccine resulted in no palpable lesions. The FRCPV vaccine elicited a minor reaction in 1 of the 9 cats. The RV vaccine caused palpable lesions in all cats. Smears of the aspirates from the sites of saline injection were poorly cellular. Cellularity of aspirates from the sites of FRCPV and FeLV vaccinations was moderate at week 1, and decreased with time. Inflammatory infiltrates were composed principally of lymphocytes, with fewer neutrophils and macrophages. In contrast, cellularity of aspirates from RV vaccination sites increased for 21 days and was characterized by increasing numbers of lymphocytes and macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: RV vaccine used in this study induced palpable lesions in many cats. In contrast, FRCPV and FeLV vaccines elicited less severe lesions. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Subcutaneous administration of killed virus vaccines in cats may result in palpable lesions that are detected by clients or clinicians. Aspiration cytologic examination may reveal a different characteristic pattern of cells that is dependent on the individual vaccine and time elapsed from vaccination.

Alphaherpesvirinae

Evaluation of dogs and cats with tumors of the ear canal: 145 cases (1978-1992).

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the frequency, clinical signs, biologic behavior, and response to treatment of tumors of the ear canal in dogs and cats. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of medical records. ANIMALS: Medical records of 81 dogs (48 malignant tumors, 33 benign tumors) and 64 cats (56 malignant tumors, 8 benign tumors). PROCEDURE: Data were analyzed for cats and dogs with malignant tumors, and risk factors were analyzed for their potential impact on survival time. RESULTS: Malignant tumor types most commonly reported included ceruminous gland adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and carcinoma of undetermined origin. Median survival time of dogs with malignant aural tumors was > 58 months, whereas that of cats was 11.7 months. A poor prognosis was indicated by extensive tumor involvement (dogs) and by neurologic signs at time of diagnosis, diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma or carcinoma of undetermined origin, and invasion into lymphatics or blood vessels (cats). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Malignant tumors of the ear canal in dogs and cats have a propensity for local invasion, but tend not to metastasize. Squamous cell carcinoma and carcinoma of undetermined origin were the most locally aggressive tumors. Malignant tumors of the ear canal are best managed by aggressive surgical excision. Radiotherapy may be useful when tumors cannot be completely removed.

Adenocarcinoma

Intramedullary cisplatin chemotherapy: experience in four dogs with osteosarcoma.

Single-agent intramedullary cisplatin chemotherapy provided effective localised control in two of four dogs with advanced stage osteosarcoma unable to withstand an amputation or limb-sparing surgery. Complete remission of the local neoplasm was observed in one of the four dogs, partial remission of the local neoplasm in one dog and progressive disease in the other two. Limb function was preserved in one dog for seven months and that dog was found to be tumour-free when euthanased due to unrelated causes. These preliminary results warrant further investigation into the use of intramedullary cisplatin chemotherapy in the localised management of canine appendicular osteosarcoma. It is possible that this mode of treatment may be combined with other treatments to maximise the survival (i.e., systemic control) in other dogs affected with appendicular osteosarcoma.

Animals

Serum granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) concentrations after chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in normal and tumor-bearing dogs.

Hematopoiesis is regulated by complex interactions of hematopoietic growth factors known as colony-stimulating factors and interleukins. We used sensitive bioassays to quantitate serum granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) concentrations in normal and tumor-bearing dogs following administration of myelosuppressive chemotherapy (vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide). Serum G-CSF and IL-1 increased during the neutrophil nadir in 13 of the 16 dogs. Serum G-CSF concentrations were significantly increased in normal and in tumor-bearing dogs on neutropenic compared to non-neutropenic days. Serum IL-1 concentrations increased significantly on neutropenic days in normal dogs but not in tumor-bearing dogs. A marked neutrophilia was observed in normal dogs, but not in tumor-bearing dogs, following the increases in serum G-CSF and IL-1 concentrations (days 7, 8, and 9, p < 0.05). Normal dogs produced significantly more G-CSF on neutropenic days compared to dogs with lymphoma. On non-neutropenic days, serum IL-1 concentrations were significantly increased in dogs with lymphoma and in dogs with nonlymphoid malignancies compared to normal dogs. These results suggest an important role for G-CSF and IL-1 in hematopoietic recovery after chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression and document an altered hematopoietic regulation in animals with malignancy compared to normal subjects.

Animals

The frequency of micronuclei in lymphocytes of dogs with osteosarcoma: a predictive variable for tumor response during cisplatin chemotherapy.

To our knowledge, there are no features identifiable at the time of diagnosis or during treatment that can assist the clinician in predicting the response to cisplatin therapy in dogs with osteosarcoma. In this study, we describe a direct relationship between the percentage of G0 lymphocytes containing micronuclei following exposure to one dose of cisplatin in vivo and tumor response in dogs with osteosarcoma. The response of tumors to chemotherapy is thought to be a function of the drug's pharmacological properties (e.g., peak plasma concentration and elimination half-life); however, a relationship between platinum DNA adduct levels in leukocyte DNA and tumor response has been observed by others, suggesting that clinical resistance to platinum drugs is attributable to DNA repair functions of the host, and thus the degree of cytotoxicity is similar across all cell types. Our results support this hypothesis. Those dogs receiving cisplatin chemotherapy and having a micronuclear frequency of greater than 10% had median remission and survival times of 68.3 and 79.0 weeks, respectively, whereas those dogs with a micronuclear frequency of less than 10% had median remission and survival times of 14.1 and 17.9 weeks, respectively.

Analysis of Variance

Diagnostic and prognostic importance of chromosomal aberrations identified in 61 dogs with lymphosarcoma.

To determine the diagnostic and/or prognostic importance of chromosomal aberrations identified in dogs with malignant (non-Hodgkin's) lymphoma, clinical stages for 61 dogs with lymphosarcoma were determined, the lymph node(s) were histopathologically graded, and the malignant tissue lymphocytes were karyotyped. The results from life table survival curve analysis demonstrated that first remission length and survival time were significantly longer in 15 of 61 (25%) dogs that had a trisomy of chromosome 13 as the primary chromosomal aberration than in those dogs (46/61, 75%) with other primary chromosomal aberrations (P < 0.05). Sex, age, weight, histopathologic subtype and grade, World Health Organization (WHO) clinical stage, WHO and modified Karnofsky performance status, chromosomal modal number, and treatment protocol were of no prognostic importance in predicting first remission length or survival time (P > 0.05). Multivariate analysis did not identify a significant correlation between the prognostic groups or within the various prognostic subsets (P > 0.05). The pathogenesis of canine and human non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, as observed cytogenetically, differs.

Animals

Clinical response of nasal adenocarcinoma to cisplatin chemotherapy in 11 dogs.

In 11 dogs with nasal adenocarcinoma, IV treatment with 2 to 8 cycles of cisplatin at a dosage of 60 mg/m2 of body surface, given at 3-week intervals, resulted in a survival time of 8 to 128 weeks (mean, 32.7 weeks; median, 20 weeks). Radiography revealed complete remission in 2 dogs and partial remission in 1 dog, for an overall response rate of 27%. Clinical problems such as nasal discharge (n = 11), sneezing (n = 6), and epistaxis (n = 4) resolved in 1 to 2 weeks in all dogs after beginning chemotherapy.

Adenocarcinoma

Nasal adenocarcinoma metastatic to bone in two dogs.

Diagnosis of nasal adenocarcinoma was made in a 6-year-old 35-kg neutered Golden Retriever and a 6-year-old 8-kg spayed mixed-breed dog with chronic bilateral nasal discharge unresponsive to antibiotics. Treatment for the Golden Retriever consisted of bilateral rhinotomy, curettage, and postoperative fractionated 48-Gy orthovoltage irradiation. The mixed-breed dog was treated with cisplatin. After complete remission of the primary neoplasm, the dogs were reevaluated because of acute lameness. Radiography of the right stifle of the Golden Retriever revealed soft tissue swelling, extensive bony destruction of the distal femoral metaphysis and epiphysis, and pathologic fracture involving the medial condyle. Radiography of the left scapula of the mixed-breed dog revealed lysis of the glenoid cavity and subchondral scapular bone. Diagnosis of metastatic carcinoma was made in both dogs. With treatment improvements and longer survival time of affected dogs, sinonasal neoplasia may be observed to develop in similar life-threatening metastatic sites.

Adenocarcinoma

Vincristine sulfate as single-agent chemotherapy in a dog and a cat with malignant neoplasms.

A 12-year-old 4-kg spayed domestic shorthair cat with a poorly differentiated fibrosarcoma of the rostral aspect of the mandible and an 11-year-old 13-kg castrated dog of mixed breeding with pulmonary metastatic hemangiosarcoma were treated with 0.5 mg of vincristine sulfate/m2 of body surface, IV, weekly. Three months after beginning treatment, both animals had complete clinical remission. The role of this vinca alkaloid as a single agent for malignant neoplasms has seldom been discussed in the veterinary scientific literature. The results of these two cases indicate that single-agent vincristine sulfate chemotherapy is effective in the treatment of feline fibrosarcoma and canine hemangiosarcoma.

Animals

Comparison of survey radiography with ultrasonography and x-ray computed tomography for clinical staging of subcutaneous neoplasms in dogs.

A study of 26 dogs (examined consecutively) with infiltrative subcutaneous neoplasms (mastocytoma, n = 11; soft tissue sarcoma, n = 13; and adenocarcinoma, n = 2) was conducted. Dogs were evaluated by physical examination, survey radiography, ultrasonography (US), and x-ray computed tomography (CT) prior to surgical excision of the tumor. The purpose of the evaluation was to accurately define gross neoplastic margins before surgical excision and to determine whether a difference could be observed between routine clinical staging (physical examination and survey radiography) and more detailed clinical staging (US and CT imaging). The clinical stage of 5 of 26 neoplasms assessed by US and of 17 of 26 neoplasms assessed by CT was determined to be more advanced because of previously undetected neoplasia, greater neoplastic size, or greater tissue invasiveness. Preoperative imaging of infiltrative subcutaneous neoplasms, using US and CT, is highly recommended to accurately determine gross neoplastic margins.

Adenocarcinoma

Single-phase methylene diphosphate bone scintigraphy in the diagnostic evaluation of dogs with osteosarcoma.

In this study, 25 dogs each with a histopathologically diagnosed appendicular or axial osteosarcoma were prospectively and consecutively examined by methylene diphosphate nuclear scintigraphy. Scannings that revealed scintigraphically enhanced focal increased activity via bone uptake of the 99mTc methylene diphosphate radionuclide at sites other than the primary tumor site were compared with scintigrams obtained from dogs without osteosarcoma. Secondary scintigraphic sites were evaluated by survey radiography and, if possible, by histologic examination (biopsy or necropsy specimens). On the basis of our findings, scintigraphy seems to be more efficient than physical examination and radiographic bone survey for the diagnosis of multicentric, metachronous, or metastatic canine osteosarcoma.

Animals

Use of cisplatin for control of metastatic malignant mesenchymoma and hypertrophic osteopathy in a dog.

Cisplatin (cis-diammine-dichloroplatinum) treatment induced partial remission of pulmonary metastatic malignant mesenchymoma and nearly complete radiographic remission of hypertrophic osteopathy in a 14-year-old Beagle. Cisplatin was given once every 3 weeks. Clinical signs of hypertrophic osteopathy resolved one week after initiation of treatment. Partial remission of pulmonary metastases and partial radiographic remission of hypertrophic osteopathy was seen 6 weeks after initiation of treatment. Previous treatment of neoplasia-related hypertrophic osteopathy has consisted of removal of the initiating mass or vagotomy. In this case, appropriate chemotherapy was used to control clinical signs and progression of hypertrophic osteopathy.

Animals

Functional considerations in partial foot amputations.

Recent developments in both surgical techniques and prosthetic management have improved the prognosis for foot amputations between the transmetatarsal and Syme's levels. Retention of active ankle motion is often permitted by partial foot amputations. Vocational and avocational requirements for active, voluntary ankle motions should be considered preoperatively in selected patients. Three case reports are used to illustrate this concept. Appropriate surgical techniques and prosthetic devices may improve the quality of life for some individuals requiring distal lower extremity amputations.

Amputation, Surgical