JVMBBS - 2026 - Vol. 12 - iss. 2

Journal for Veterinary Medicine, Biotechnology and Biosafety

Volume 12, Issue 2, May 2026, Pages 17–28

ISSN 2411-3174 (print version) ISSN 2411-0388 (online version)

THE INFORMATIVE VALUE OF HISTOMORPHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF MAMMARY GLAND NEOPLASIA FOR PREDICTING METASTASIS IN DOGS AND CATS

Kazantsev R. H. ¹, Sydelov V. V. ¹, Kryvoruchenko D. O. ², Haifa J. ², Ulianytska A. Yu. ^2, 3

¹ National Scientific Center ‘Institute of Experimental and Clinical Veterinary Medicine’, Kharkiv, Ukraine, e-mail: trilobite@ukr.net

²State Biotechnological University, Kharkiv, Ukraine

³University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany

Download PDF (print version)

Citation for print version: Kazantsev, R. H., Sydelov, V. V., Kryvoruchenko, D. O., Haifa, J. and Ulianytska, A. Yu. (2026) ‘The informative value of histomorphological examination of Mammary gland neoplasia for predicting metastasis in dogs and cats’, Journal for Veterinary Medicine, Biotechnology and Biosafety, 12(2), pp. 17–28.

Download PDF (online version)

Citation for online version: Kazantsev, R. H., Sydelov, V. V., Kryvoruchenko, D. O., Haifa, J. and Ulianytska, A. Yu. (2026) ‘The informative value of histomorphological examination of Mammary gland neoplasia for predicting metastasis in dogs and cats’, Journal for Veterinary Medicine, Biotechnology and Biosafety, 12(2), pp. 17–28. DOI: 10.36016/JVMBBS-2026-12-2-3.

Summary. Significant morphological diversity and varying degrees of metastatic potential have been demonstrated in mammary tumors in dogs and cats. Histomorphological verification is a key step in determining the biological behavior of neoplasms. A statistically significant association has been demonstrated between clinical stage, as defined by the TNM system, and histological malignancy of tumors. Malignant neoplasms are significantly more often associated with advanced stages of the disease and the presence of metastases. Regional lymph node involvement and distant metastasis are decisive prognostic criteria. Benign tumors predominantly correspond to early stages and show no signs of metastatic growth. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using χ² and Fisher’s criteria to analyze small samples in veterinary oncology studies. The metastatic potential of a tumor is emphasized as having greater prognostic significance than the size of the primary tumor. A comprehensive approach that takes into account clinical and morphological parameters is shown to improve the accuracy of predicting disease progression. The need for further research using standardized methods and larger samples to advance knowledge in veterinary oncology is emphasized

Keywords: histomorphological identification, TNM stratification, metastatic potential, prognostic factors

References:

Barbagianni, M. S. and Gouletsou, P. G. (2023) ‘Modern imaging techniques in the study and disease diagnosis of the mammary glands of animals’, Veterinary Sciences, 10(2), p. 83. doi: 10.3390/vetsci10020083.

CE (The Council of Europe). (1986) European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals Used for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes. (European Treaty Series, No. 123). Strasbourg: The Council of Europe. Available at: https://conventions.coe.int/treaty/en/treaties/html/123.htm.

CEC (The Council of the European Communities) (2010) ‘Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2010 on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes’, The Official Journal of the European Communities, L 276, pp. 33–79. Available at: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2010/63/oj.

Choi, H., Na, H., Lee, S. K., Bae, S., Oh, T. and Lee, K. (2022) ‘Cutaneous metastasis of mammary gland tumor in a dog: A case report’, Korean Journal of Veterinary Research, 62(1), p. e2. doi: 10.14405/kjvr.20210038.

Feliciano, M. A. R., de Miranda, B. S. P., Aires, L. P. N., Lima, B. B., de Oliveira, A. P. L., Feliciano, G. S. M. and Uscategui, R. A. R. (2023) ‘The importance of ultrasonography in the evaluation of mammary tumors in bitches’, Animals, 13(11), p. 1742. doi: 10.3390/ani13111742.

Greco, A., Meomartino, L., Gnudi, G., Brunetti, A. and Di Giancamillo, M. (2023) ‘Imaging techniques in veterinary medicine. Part II: Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine’, European Journal of Radiology Open, 10, p. 100467. doi: 10.1016/j.ejro.2022.100467.

Guirguis, P. and Beggs, D. S. (2025) ‘Systematic review: Does pre-pubertal spaying reduce the risk of canine mammary tumours?’, Animals, 15(3), p. 436. doi: 10.3390/ani15030436.

Hart, B. L., Hart, L. A., Thigpen, A. P. and Willits, N. H. (2020) ‘Assisting decision-making on age of neutering for 35 breeds of dogs: Associated joint disorders, cancers, and urinary incontinence’, Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 7, p. 388. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00388.

Hillaert, A., Stock, E., Duchateau, L., de Rooster, H., Devriendt, N. and Vanderperren, K. (2022) ‘B-mode and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography aspects of benign and malignant superficial neoplasms in dogs: A preliminary study’, Animals, 12(20), p. 2765. doi: 10.3390/ani12202765.

Klaengkaew, A., Sutthigran, S., Thammasiri, N., Yuwatanakorn, K., Thanaboonnipat, C., Ponglowhapan, S. and Choisunirachon, N. (2021) ‘The evaluation of non-anesthetic computed tomography for detection of pulmonary parenchyma in feline mammary gland carcinoma: A preliminary study’, BMC Veterinary Research, 17(1), p. 237. doi: 10.1186/s12917-021-02950-6.

Koo, Y., Yun, T., Chae, Y., Lee, D., Son, M., Ku, D., Kim, H., Yang, M. P. and Kang, B. T. (2022) ‘Evaluation of a dog with inflammatory mammary carcinoma using ¹⁸ F-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-d-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography’, Veterinary Medicine and Science, 8(4), pp. 1361–1365. doi: 10.1002/vms3.786.

Massimini, M., Gloria, A., Romanucci, M., Della Salda, L., Di Francesco, L. and Contri, A. (2022) ‘Strain and shear-wave elastography and their relationship to histopathological features of canine mammary nodular lesions’, Veterinary Sciences, 9(9), p. 506. doi: 10.3390/vetsci9090506.

Moraes, N. S. and Borges, N. C. (2021) ‘Sonographic assessment of the normal and abnormal feline mammary glands and axillary and inguinal lymph nodes’, Veterinary Medicine International, 2021, p. 9998025. doi: 10.1155/2021/9998025.

Pastor, N., Espadas, L., Santella, M., Ezquerra, L. J., Tarazona, R. and Durán, M. E. (2022) ‘Comparison between histological features and strain elastographic characteristics in canine mammary carcinomas’, Veterinary Sciences, 9(1), p. 9. doi: 10.3390/vetsci9010009.

Petrucci, G., Henriques, J., Gregório, H., Vicente, G., Prada, J., Pires, I., Lobo, L., Medeiros, R. and Queiroga, F. (2021) ‘Metastatic feline mammary cancer: prognostic factors, outcome and comparison of different treatment modalities — a retrospective multicentre study’, Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 23(6), рр. 549–556. doi: 10.1177/1098612X20964416.

Rodrigues-Jesus, J., Vilhena, H., Canadas-Sousa, A. and Dias-Pereira, P. (2025) ‘Feline mammary tumors: a comprehensive review of histological classification schemes, grading systems, and prognostic factors’, Veterinary Sciences, 12(8), p. 736. doi: 10.3390/vetsci12080736.

Rose, R. J. and Worley, D. R. (2020) ‘A contemporary retrospective study of survival in dogs with primary lung tumors: 40 cases (2005–2017)’, Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 7, р. 519703. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.519703.

Sánchez, D., Romero, L., López, S., Campuzano, M., Ortega, R., Morales, A., Guadarrama, M., Cesarman-Maus, G., García-Pérez, O. and Lizano, M. (2019) ‘¹⁸F-FDG—PET/CT in canine mammary gland tumors’, Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 6, p. 280. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00280.

Simmonds, R. C. (2017) ‘Chapter 4. Bioethics and animal use in programs of research, teaching, and testing’, in Weichbrod, R. H., Thompson, G. A. and Norton, J. N. (eds.) Management of Animal Care and Use Programs in Research, Education, and Testing. 2^nd ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press, pp. 35–62. doi: 10.1201/9781315152189-4.

Soultani, C., Patsikas, M. N., Mayer, M., Kazakos, G. M., Theodoridis, T. D., Vignoli, M., Ilia, T. S. M., Karagiannopoulou, M., Ilia, G. M., Tragoulia, I., Angelou, V. N., Chatzimisios, K., Tselepidis, S., Papadopoulou, P. L. and Papazoglou, L. G. (2021) ‘Contrast enhanced computed tomography assessment of superficial inguinal lymph node metastasis in canine mammary gland tumors’, Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound, 62(5), рр. 557–567. doi: 10.1111/vru.13002.

Stan, F., Gudea, A., Damian, A., Gal, A. F., Papuc, I., Pop, A. R. and Martonos, C. (2020) ‘Ultrasonographic algorithm for the assessment of sentinel lymph nodes that drain the mammary carcinomas in female dogs’, Animals, 10(12), p. 2366. doi: 10.3390/ani10122366.

Tanaka, Y., Koyama, K., Horiuchi, N., Watanabe, K. and Kobayashi, Y. (2020) ‘Relationship between histological grade and histopathological appearance in canine mammary carcinomas’, Journal of Comparative Pathology, 179, pp. 59–64. doi: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2020.07.004.

Vazquez, E., Lipovka, Y., Cervantes-Arias, A., Garibay-Escobar, A., Haby, M. M., Queiroga, F. L. and Velazquez, C. (2023) ‘Canine mammary cancer: state of the art and future perspectives’, Animals, 13(19), p. 3147. doi: 10.3390/ani13193147.

VRU (Verkhovna Rada Ukrainy) (2006) ‘Law of Ukraine No. 3447-IV of 21.02.2006 ‘About protection of animals from cruel treatment’ [Zakon Ukrainy № 3447-IV vid 21.02.2006 ‘Pro zakhyst tvaryn vid zhorstokoho povodzhennia’], News of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine [Vidomosti Verkhovnoi Rady Ukrainy], 27, art. 230. Available at: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/3447-15. [in Ukrainian].

Webster, J. D., Dennis, M. M., Dervisis, N., Heller, J., Bacon, N. J., Bergman, P. J., Bienzle, D., Cassali, G., Castagnaro, M., Cullen, J., Esplin, D. G., Peña, L., Goldschmidt, M. H., Hahn, K. A., Henry, C. J., Hellmén, E., Kamstock, D., Kirpensteijn, J., Kitchell, B. E., Amorim, R. L., Lenz, S. D., Lipscomb, T. P., McEntee, M., McGill, L. D., McKnight, C. A., McManus, P. M., Moore, A. S., Moore, P. F., Moroff, S. D., Nakayama, H., Northrup, N. C., Sarli, G., Scase, T., Sorenmo, K., Schulman, F. Y., Shoieb, A. M., Smedley, R. C., Spangler, W. L., Teske, E., Thamm, D. H., Valli, V. E., Vernau, W., Euler, H. von, Withrow, S. J., Weisbrode, S. E., Yager, J. and Kiupel, M. (2010) ‘Recommended Guidelines for the Conduct and Evaluation of Prognostic Studies in Veterinary Oncology’, Veterinary Pathology, 48(1), pp. 7–18. doi: 10.1177/0300985810377187.

Yitbarek, D. and Dagnaw, G. G. (2022) ‘Application of advanced imaging modalities in veterinary medicine: a review’, Veterinary Medicine: Research and Reports, 13, pp. 117–130. doi: 10.2147/vmrr.s367040.

Zhelavskyi, M. M. and Dmytriv, O. Y. (2023) ‘Mammary tumors of the dog and the cat: modern approaches to classification and diagnosis (review)’, Scientific Messenger of LNU of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnologies, 25(109), pp. 39–44. doi: 10.32718/nvlvet10907.