Thyroid tumors (carcinomas) in dogs have a high risk of metastasis (spread to other parts of the body). Lymph nodes are a common metastatic site in both dogs and people with thyroid carcinoma. However, assessment of the lymph nodes for metastatic disease can be challenging; as such, there has been an under-diagnosis of lymph node metastasis in dogs with thyroid carcinoma. As removal of metastatic lymph nodes decreases rates of thyroid cancer recurrence in people, improving metastatic lymph node assessment has the potential to improve outcomes of dogs with this tumor type, though this remains to be demonstrated.
Sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping techniques – where the first lymph node(s) that drain fluid from a tumor are identified and tested for cancer cells – have been well documented and safely used in dogs and people with multiple tumor types, but not yet dogs with thyroid carcinoma. This study aims to develop SLN mapping techniques (to aid in early detection and removal of cancerous lymph nodes) in dogs with thyroid tumors and to evaluate their utility and agreement.
Eligibility:
- Dogs with cytologically confirmed, unilateral (one-sided) thyroid carcinoma
- Good candidate for surgical removal of the thyroid tumor
- Dog has not received any prior treatments for the thyroid tumor (e.g., prior surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy)
Benefits:
- Thorough staging of thyroid tumor for any evidence of metastatic disease in the lymph nodes
- Cost of cervical (neck) CT and lymph node mapping paid for by the study
- Financial coverage of $500 towards the cost of surgery (thyroid tumor removal)
Please contact the VCIC at 215-573-0302 or vcic@vet.upenn.edu for more information about this study.