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Published on: April 27, 2021
The effect of prednisone on histologic and gross characteristics in canine mast cell tumors
Ken J Linde1, Stephen L Stockdale1, Michael B Mison1
1Seattle Veterinary Specialists Blue Pearl, Kirkland, Washington 98034, USA (Linde); Veterinary Referral Center of Central Oregon, 1820 NW Monterey Pines Drive, Bend, Oregon 97703, USA (Stockdale); University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA (Mison); Veterinary Cancer & Surgery Specialists, Portland, Oregon 97222 USA (Perry).
Abstract:
The objective of the study was to determine whether neoadjuvant prednisone therapy affects histological features of cutaneous and subcutaneous mast cell tumors. Twenty-eight dogs with a treatment naïve > 1-cm diameter mast cell tumor (MCT) were randomly assigned (Random number generator; Random.org, Dublin, Ireland) in a blinded fashion to receive either prednisone or placebo (Quality Food Center Pharmacy, Kirkland, Washington, USA). Volumes of mast cell tumors were calculated before incisional and excisional biopsies. Following incisional biopsy, patients received either prednisone (1 mg/kg body weight) daily or a placebo for 7 to 14 days leading up to excisional biopsy. Tumor grade for cutaneous MCT, and mitotic count and atypia for all tumors were reported. Perioperative treatment with prednisone had no significant effect on tumor grade, atypia, or mitotic count. Tumor volume was significantly decreased with prednisone treatment. The use of neoadjuvant prednisone to decrease MCT volume in order to facilitate tumor excision, can be considered without significant concern for change of tumor histologic features in the common population of low- to intermediate-grade MCT.
