Introduction
Canine mammary tumors are a serious concern for many dog owners, especially those with older or intact female dogs. While these tumors are often treatable, they can be malignant and may recur or spread after surgery.
Recent research funded by the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) is changing how veterinarians approach treatment. Breakthroughs in imaging and understanding the tumor environment are helping improve surgical outcomes and reduce recurrence—offering new hope for dogs diagnosed with mammary cancer.
Key Points
- About 50% of canine mammary tumors are malignant and may recur or spread.
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) helps surgeons detect leftover cancer cells during surgery.
- Collagen patterns around tumors can predict how aggressive the cancer is.
- New biomaterials may help prevent tumor regrowth after surgery.
- Surgical removal remains the primary treatment, but new tools are improving precision and outcomes.
Challenge Background
Mammary tumors are a major health concern for intact (unspayed) female dogs, especially as they age. Risk factors include hormone exposure, obesity at a young age, and being spayed after 2.5 years of age.
Although surgery is the standard treatment, it can be difficult to ensure all cancerous tissue is removed. If any cancer cells remain, tumors can return or spread. Traditional biopsy methods to check for residual cancer are time-consuming and may not catch everything during surgery.
The Breakthrough
Researchers at The Ohio State University are testing Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)—a real-time imaging tool that uses light waves to create high-resolution images of tissue. OCT allows surgeons to immediately see if any cancer cells remain after removing a tumor. Early results show that different tissue types have distinct patterns on OCT images, which match up well with traditional biopsy results.
Meanwhile, scientists at the University of Pennsylvania are studying the tumor microenvironment, especially the role of collagen. They’ve discovered that certain collagen patterns around tumors—called cancer-associated collagen signatures—can predict how the cancer will behave. These patterns may be more accurate than current biomarkers. Researchers are also exploring whether placing special biomaterials in the surgical site can prevent tumors from growing back.
Impact & Next Steps
These innovations could significantly improve how veterinarians treat mammary tumors. OCT may help ensure complete tumor removal in a single surgery, reducing the need for follow-up procedures. Collagen signature analysis could help predict outcomes more accurately and guide treatment decisions.
Future studies will continue testing OCT’s effectiveness and explore how to manipulate the tumor environment to prevent recurrence. These tools could eventually become standard in veterinary oncology, offering better outcomes and peace of mind for dog owners. Learn more about CHF-funded cancer research at akcchf.org/caninecancer.
