Comparative pathology of canine mammary tumours

The pathological features of 52 canine mammary tumours were studied and compared with those of human breast neoplasms. In many of the former, the constituent cells were both epithelial and myoepithelial. Cartilaginous and osseous metaplasia of the stromal tissue was striking in a few tumours. Carcinosarcomas were also encountered. On a careful search, virus-like particles were observed in five tumours. The similarities and differences between the human and canine mammary tumours were discussed with a view to assessing the suitability of dog mammary tumour as an animal model for human breast tumours.