title: Use of histologic margin evaluation to predict recurrence of cutaneous malignant tumors in dogs and cats after surgical excision.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the usefulness of histologic evaluation of surgical margins to predict local recurrence of cutaneous malignant tumors in dogs and cats treated by means of surgical excision.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  40 dogs and 20 cats.
  
  
  METHODS
  60 surgically excised tumors (20 soft tissue sarcomas [STSs], 20 mast cell tumors [MCTs], and 20 carcinomas) were examined histologically. Margins were classified as clean, close, or infiltrated; histologic grade was assessed in STSs and MCTs. Recurrence rates and recurrence-free intervals (RFIs) during a 24-month follow-up period were recorded, and method accuracy was calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Surgical margins were clean in 29 of 60 (48%) tumors, close in 11 (18%), and infiltrated in 20 (33%). Tumors recurred in 27 of 60 (45%) animals, with a mean ± SD RFI of 229 ± 173 days. Recurrence rates for animals that had tumors with infiltrated (16/20) or close (8/11) margins were significantly higher than recurrence rate for animals that had tumors with clean margins (3/29). Margin classification was a significant predictor of RFI. Accuracy of the method to predict recurrence was 94% for carcinomas, 87% for STSs, and 76% for MCTs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Histologic assessment of margin status was useful for predicting local recurrence of cutaneous malignant tumors in dogs and cats treated by means of excision alone. Method accuracy varied among tumor types and grades. Recurrence times suggested postsurgical follow-up should continue for ≥ 2 years. Results were similar for animals with infiltrated and close tumor margins, and careful postsurgical management is recommended for both.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Scarpa
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sabattini
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marconato
authors.forename: Ombretta
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Capitani
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morini
authors.forename: Giuliano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bettini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D002415:Cats; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012515:Mast-Cell Sarcoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000662:veterinary; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000662:veterinary*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome