Evaluation of carbon dioxide laser ablation combined with mitoxantrone and piroxicam treatment in dogs with transitional cell carcinoma.
METHODS
8 dogs that underwent carbon dioxide (CO2) laser ablation of transitional cell carcinoma in the bladder trigone and proximal portion of the urethra and were also treated with mitotranxone and piroxicam.


RESULTS
Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder frequently involves the trigone and urethra and can be difficult to manage surgically. Dogs underwent laser ablation of the primary tumor and were treated with mitoxantrone at a dosage of 5 mg/m2)every 3 weeks for 4 treatments. Piroxicam was given at a dosage of 0.3 mg/kg (0.14 mg/lb) once daily for the remaining life of the dog.


RESULTS
Median and mean disease-free intervals were 200 and 280 days, respectively. Median and mean survival times were 299 and 411 days, respectively. Adverse treatment effects were observed in 2 dogs; signs included mild, self-limiting inappetance and lethargy. The procedure appeared to be well tolerated; all treated dogs had rapid resolution of clinical signs of disease of the lower portion of the urinary tract.


CONCLUSIONS
Although survival times achieved with CO2 laser ablation and treatment with mitoxantrone and piroxicam were similar to survival times associated with chemotherapy alone, resolution of clinical signs was better with the combined treatment.
Oncology-Internal Medicine Referral Service, 7220 E 41st St, Tulsa, OK 74145, USA.
Melinda L
ML
Upton
C H
CH
Tangner
Mark E
ME
Payton
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D008942:Mitoxantrone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010894:Piroxicam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012074:Remission Induction; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014523:Urethral Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D010894:Piroxicam; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D008942:Mitoxantrone