Malignant tumor formation in dogs previously irradiated for acanthomatous epulis

Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 2004 Jul-Aug;45(4):357-61. doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2004.04067.x.

Abstract

In this retrospective study of 57 dogs irradiated for oral acanthomatous epulis, 2 (3.5%) dogs developed a second tumor (sarcoma, osteosarcoma) in the radiation treatment field at 5.2 and 8.7 years after the end of radiation therapy. As opposed to previous reports, no second epithelial tumors developed in the radiation treatment field. There is a risk of radiation-induced carcinogenesis, but it appears that it is a relatively low risk and an event that occurs years after radiation therapy. Radiation-induced tumors are of more concern in younger dogs that undergo radiation therapy for tumors that are radioresponsive, such as acanthomatous epulis, where long-term survival is expected. The only statistically significant variable in the survival analysis was age, with dogs less than 8.3 years old having a significantly longer median overall survival (2322 days) than dogs older than 8.3 years (1106 days; P<0.0001).

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dog Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Dog Diseases / etiology
  • Dog Diseases / mortality
  • Dog Diseases / radiotherapy
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Gingival Hyperplasia / radiotherapy
  • Gingival Hyperplasia / veterinary*
  • Male
  • Medical Records
  • Mouth Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Mouth Neoplasms / veterinary*
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / epidemiology
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / veterinary*
  • North Carolina / epidemiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Analysis