Canine mast cell disease is one of the most common cancers in dogs. These tumors can be aggressive, with local recurrence, metastasis, and disease progression resulting in death. Lymph nodes are a major site of metastasis for canine mast cell tumors, and lymph nodes are routinely removed and evaluated for metastasis as part of the clinical workup in dogs with this disease.

The research team aims to use deep-learning based digital image analysis to evaluate lymph nodes in dogs with cutaneous mast cell tumors for specific microscopic features associated with the risk of disease progression and death. These criteria can then be evaluated in dogs with mast cell disease, providing clinicians with additional prognostic information and allowing for more guided and meaningful therapy.