Grant No. 1355A: Expression of
Vascular Endothelial markers in Canine Hemanglosarcoma and their use in Diagnostic Cytology Using Immunocytochemistry
Primary Investigator: Dr. Kimberly Weber
Institution: University of Illinois
Total Grant Amount: $5,285.52
Requested Sponsorship: $500
Project Abstract:
Canine hemangiosarcoma is an aggressive malignant tumor ofthe blood vessels which occurs most commonly in the spleen, heart and skin. Patients diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma in a location other than the skin have a very poor prognosis and these patients generally die from their disease in a short amount of time despite aggressive treatments including surgery and chemotherapy. Currently this type of cancer is most accurately diagnosed by biopsying the tumor which involves removing a small piece of tissue or the entire tumor and examining it microscopically. Tissue is most often obtained during surgery which requires the patient to be anesthetized. Biopsy of these tumors, however, carries many risks including rupture of the tumor and uncontrollable bleeding which may lead to death. Fine needle aspiration of the tumor is a safer, more inexpensive and less invasive procedure whereby cancer cells are removed by use of a small needle placed through the skin and into the tumor. These cells are then smeared onto a glass slide and examined under a microscope. Fine needle aspiration can be performed on an awake or lightly sedated patient and carries less risk of bleeding or tumor rupture. However, the diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma is difficult using this method because the cells obtained can appear very similar to other types of cancerous cells. The goal of this study is to identify a special cellular marker that can be applied to the sample obtained by fine needle aspiration which will differentiate hemangiosarcoma from other similar cancers.The use of such a marker will allow canine hemangiosarcoma to be diagnosed more reliably through the use offine needle aspiration and avoid costly and invasive surgery to obtain a diagnosis of this devastating disease.