Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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It's almost become a hobby for me to look for research articles online about canine osteosarcoma. I've bookmarked a lot of interesting ones that I've found. (Of course I don't have subscriptions to these sites, but at least the abstracts have a bit of good information.) I know I'm not the only one out there googling for these things, so if you've found anything good feel free to share it. 
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Association of blood monocyte and lymphocyte count and disease-free interval in dogs with osteosarcoma.
http://www.ncbi.....d/20840314
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Identification of biomarkers that predict outcomes in dogs with osteosarcoma (OSA) would be valuable to veterinarians and owners. Leukocyte numbers in peripheral blood are associated with outcomes in some types of cancer in humans.
HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES:
We hypothesized that increased numbers of monocytes would be associated with reduced disease-free interval (DFI) in dogs with OSA.
ANIMALS:
Medical data from 69 dogs with appendicular OSA treated with amputation and chemotherapy were selected for study.
METHODS:
Retrospective study. Statistical associations were assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis. Information about DFI and leukogram values, tumor location, and serum alkaline phosphatase was abstracted from the medical record.
RESULTS:
Higher numbers of circulating monocytes (>0.4×10(3) cells/μL) and lymphocytes (>1.0×10(3) cells/μL) before treatment were found to be significantly (P<.05) associated with shorter DFI in dogs with OSA. Other parameters associated with poor outcomes were increased alkaline phosphatase, primary tumor location, and age.
CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE:
These results indicated that pretreatment evaluation of monocyte and lymphocyte counts provided prognostic information for dogs with appendicular OSA. Notably, most animals in this study had monocyte counts within the normal reference range, indicating that variations within the reference range of leukocyte values might also have prognostic significance.
Copyright © 2010 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
04/09/13- OSA Diagnosis ~ 04/23/13- Left Forelimb Amputation ~ Carboplatin Chemo (6 total)
July 2006-November 18, 2013
I will always love you, Athena.
So they are saying that Monocyte levels over 400 uL and Lymphocyte levels over 1000 uL= shorter disease-free interval, among other factors (increased alkaline phosphatase, tumor location & age.)
Athena's Monocyte was 374 uL & Lymphocyte was 2032 uL. I find it interesting, but I don't want to scare anyone that compares their numbers to the study.
04/09/13- OSA Diagnosis ~ 04/23/13- Left Forelimb Amputation ~ Carboplatin Chemo (6 total)
July 2006-November 18, 2013
I will always love you, Athena.
If you're interested in the topic, I read a decent lit review ("Prognostic and Predictive Biomarkers in Canine Osteosarcoma") in the July 2010 issue of The Veterinary Journal--which was a special "biomarkers in vet med" issue.
"Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable, let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all."
-Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
"May I recommend serenity to you? A life that is burdened with expectations is a heavy life. Its fruit is sorrow and disappointment. Learn to be one with the joy of the moment."
-Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
Jess this is good info to know about and definitely something to ask a vet when discussing options for treating osteosarcoma.
We can all relate to catching the research bug. Isnt it funny how you earn your honorary vet degree after you start coping with cancer? Not the education I ever wanted but I'm glad I know what I know about cancer now. Information is empowering.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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