Lumpectomy May Negatively Impact Survival in Female Dogs with Mammary Carcinomas

TL;DR

Lumpectomy may lead to shorter survival times in female dogs with mammary carcinomas compared to other surgical techniques.

Contribution

This study identifies lumpectomy as a potential risk factor for reduced survival in dogs with mammary carcinomas.

Findings

Lumpectomy was associated with a 4.9-fold increased risk of death in female dogs with mammary carcinomas.

The mean survival time for dogs undergoing lumpectomy was 179 days, the shortest among the techniques studied.

No significant association was found between surgical technique and tumor recurrence.

Abstract

The impact of mammary carcinomas on the health and survival of dogs is a critical concern in veterinary oncology. Understanding the influence of surgical techniques on patient outcomes is essential for improving treatment strategies. This retrospective study analyzed the survival of female dogs with mammary carcinomas, comparing different mastectomy techniques over a 10-year period. We observed that lumpectomy was associated with a shorter survival time, highlighting the importance of selecting appropriate surgical approaches.

Mammary tumors are the most common neoplasms in female dogs, with mastectomy being the primary treatment. The impact of mastectomy type on survival remains unclear. This study evaluated the effect of different surgical techniques on the survival of female dogs with mammary carcinomas. A total of 307 dogs with 734 mammary tumors were analyzed. Ages ranged from 1 to 17 years, with mixed breeds comprising 48.9%. Most tumors (92.9%) were malignant, predominantly carcinoma in a mixed tumor (30.2%). Unilateral mastectomy was the most common technique (65.8%). Lumpectomy showed the shortest mean survival (179 days) and was associated with a 4.9-fold increased risk of death (p = 0.009). There was no significant association between surgical technique and overall survival or recurrence of mammary carcinoma (p = 0.2). This study relied on owner-reported data for survival and tumor recurrence. Lumpectomy appears to be associated with shorter survival times in female dogs with mammary carcinoma. Therefore, it may be advisable to reconsider this technique as a primary treatment option.

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