Tumours of bones and joints

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pathology
• Oncology
• Comparative Pathology

Background:

• Bone and joint tumours are relatively common in domestic animals, particularly in dogs.
• Malignant neoplasms constitute the majority of bone tumours observed in canine patients.
• Osteosarcomas are the most frequently diagnosed bone tumours in dogs, with a predilection for giant breeds and Boxers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of bone and joint tumours in domestic animals, with a focus on dogs.
• To classify the main categories of bone tumours encountered in veterinary practice.
• To describe the classification of tumours affecting joints and associated soft tissues.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing data on canine and other domestic animal bone and joint tumours.
• Categorization of bone tumours based on their presumed cell of origin (e.g., bone-forming, cartilage-forming).
• Classification of joint-related tumours, including synovial sarcomas and soft tissue tumours.

Main Results:

• Bone tumours are infrequent in domestic animals other than dogs.
• In dogs, bone tumours are predominantly malignant, with osteosarcomas being the most common.
• Key categories of bone tumours include bone-forming, cartilage-forming, giant cell, marrow, vascular, miscellaneous, metastatic, unclassified, and tumour-like lesions.
• Joint tumours are classified into synovial sarcomas, fibroxanthomas, and malignant giant cell tumour of soft tissues.

Conclusions:

• A thorough understanding of bone and joint tumour classification is crucial for accurate veterinary diagnosis and treatment.
• Osteosarcomas represent a significant oncological challenge in canine medicine, especially in predisposed breeds.
• This classification framework aids in the study and management of diverse bone and joint neoplasms in animals.