Frequency of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions in fine-needle aspirates and biopsy specimens from mast cell tumors in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To determine for mast cell tumors in dogs whether frequency of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNOR) determined by examining fine-needle aspirates (FNA) correlated with frequencies determined by examining biopsy specimens or with histologic grade.


METHODS
Case series.


METHODS
25 dogs with 32 histologically confirmed tumors.


METHODS
Biopsy specimens and FNA were collected from each tumor. Histologic grade and AgNOR frequency were determined.


RESULTS
Frequency of AgNOR in FNA was significantly correlated with frequency in biopsy specimens and was significantly associated with histologic grade of the tumor.


CONCLUSIONS
Determining AgNOR frequency in FNA of mast cell tumors in dogs is a rapid, minimally invasive means of obtaining information that potentially could be used to help predict biological behavior of the tumor and to guide clinicians and owners in making decisions about further diagnostic tests and treatment.
Kravis
L D
LD
Department of Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706, USA.
Vail
D M
DM
Kisseberth
W C
WC
Ogilvie
G K
GK
Volk
L M
LM
D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy / Q000662:veterinary; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D005561:Formates; D012515:Mast-Cell Sarcoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D009697:Nucleolus Organizer Region; D011379:Prognosis; D012835:Silver Nitrate; D016622:Silver Staining / Q000662:veterinary; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*
D005561:Formates; C030544:formic acid; D012835:Silver Nitrate