Dr.ª Valeria Baldassarre (Italy) and A/Prof. Chiara Palmieri (Australia)

Disease classification is defined as a system of categories to which different disease entities are assigned according to established criteria. This system allows a standardized and systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and comparison of data from different countries or areas, even at different times. The application of codes to each of those categories is used to objectively convert specific diagnosis in numbers and enable to store, search and analyse data easily.

In 1976, the World Health Organization (WHO) published the first edition of the International Classification of Disease for Oncology (ICD-O), which is a multi-axial classification system of the site, morphology, behaviour and grading (or phenotype) of neoplasms. ICD-O is mainly used in human cancer registries for coding the site (topography) and the histology (morphology) of tumours using information obtained from pathology reports. 

Considering the One Health approach aimed at attaining optimal health for people, animals and our environment, equal attention should be given to human and animal health and precisely in the use of the same criteria for collecting and processing disease data.

Therefore, the establishment of a well standardized animal cancer registry is becoming a novel and pressing request from researchers and stakeholders working in the veterinary oncology, comparative oncology and oncoepidemiology. 

However, the translation of the human classification and coding system to the veterinary field is sometimes complex and challenging, especially when dealing with separate entities and tumours with different histological features.  

In this presentation, we will discuss the main features of the human ICD-O, the approach followed by the GIVCS working group on coding, the current status of the veterinary cancer coding system and its future directions.

Dr. Ariana Znaor

IARC

Management of suspected canine multicentric lymphoma in UK first opinion practice. 

Kostas Rigas 

Objective: Describe management of cases of suspected canine multicentric lymphoma in first opinion practice (FOP) and investigate whether socioeconomic factors are associated with management.

Methods: Clinical narratives from electronic health records collected by the Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network (SAVSNET) were searched. Peripheral lymphadenomegaly cases in which multicentric lymphoma was the recorded as the top differential were grouped into those in which a diagnosis was made (ML) or suspected (MLS) and included in this study. Associations between management and socio-economic factors (Indices of Multiple Deprivation, IMD) were assessed.

Results: In total, 303 with ML and 403 MLS were identified.  A diagnosis was made in 43% of dogs residing in more deprived areas of England and 56% in dogs in the less deprived half. A diagnosis was equally likely in insured and non-insured patients (both 50%). Corticosteroid monotherapy was the most commonly prescribed therapy in both groups (62% MLS, 44% ML) followed by chemotherapy (39% ML) and euthanasia (19% MLS, 5% ML). 9.6% of cases were referred. Within ML cases frequency of treatment with multiagent chemotherapy was similar between groups residing in areas in the higher and lower halves of the IMD (41.2% vs 37.9%), but insured patients received chemotherapy more frequently than non-insured (46.2% vs 33.1%).

Conclusion: A minority of suspected lymphoma cases are referred. Therefore, a greater understanding of management of suspected lymphoma in FOP is required to guide vets and clients. Socioeconomic inequalities impact diagnosis and management of suspected lymphoma cases in FOP. 

Transmissible Venereal Tumour  in the UK - Tracking a non enzootic cancer using electronic pathology records

Danielle Gibson, David Singleton, Alan Radford, David Killick 

Objective: Transmissible venereal tumour (TVT) is a transplanted tumour of dogs transmitted by physical contact. Lesions typically affect the genitalia. TVT is not enzootic in the United Kingdom (UK), but  cases are seen in imported dogs. We sought to use a ‘big data’ approach to understand  aspects of the epidemiology of TVT in the UK.

Methods: SAVSNET collates data from a number of UK pathology laboratories. We searched cytology and histopathology records of four veterinary diagnostic laboratories pertaining to the period (2010 – 2019) for the terms ‘transmissible venereal tumour’ or ‘TVT’. Relevant reports were reviewed and descriptive statistics were collated. 

Results: 182 reports mentioned TVT. The limited history referenced country of origin in 50.7% of cases (36/71). Romania was the most common country of origin with 29/36 dogs (69%). Cases were reported in England (64/71), Scotland (4/71), Wales (1/71) and Northern Ireland (1/71). 66% (47/71) of cases were crossbreeds and 16/71 were entire. Most lesions affected the genitalia. 

Conclusions/Discussion: While still rare, TVT occurs with a higher frequency than suspected. Most cases were imported, however some local transmission cannot be completely excluded. SAVSNET is valuable as a cancer surveillance tool to monitor future development of TVT in the UK. 

A/Prof. Ricardo Soares Magalhães (Australia)

ACARCinom – Australian Companion Animal Registry of Cancer: status and future directions

Chiara Palmieri

DVM PhD DECVP

Associate Professor in Veterinary Pathology, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Australia

There are almost 29 million pets in Australia today – more than the estimated human population of 25 million. More than 62% of Australian households own a pet with 4.8 million pet dogs (20 dogs/100 people) and 3.9 million pet cats (16 cats/100 people). With 1 in 3 domestic dogs developing cancer, it is obvious how cancer represents one of the greatest causes of health burden in companion animals in our country. However, cancer statistics are surprisingly lacking and, except for one publication on demographic risk factors of canine lymphoma, it is really difficult to understand the real scale of this issue in Australian dogs and cats.

Since November 2019, we have been working on establishing the ACARCinom network, the first Australia-wide registry of animal cancers that will generate a sustainable, unified, integrated and accessible data asset for identifying patterns and trends in animal cancers, as well as quantifying the role of predisposing risk factors. The analysis of ACARCinom data asset complemented with the geographic data on human cancers already available through the Australian Cancer Atlas will point to shared cancer hot-spots and uncover associated predisposing environmental risk factors for cancers in animals and humans. 

ACARcinom builds on the partnership between all the Australian Veterinary Schools (The University of Queensland, The University of Sydney, James Cook University, University of Adelaide, Murdoch University, The University of Melbourne) and two of the major commercial veterinary pathology laboratories (Gribbles, Idexx). 

Long-term plans include the development of an Asia-Pacific veterinary cancer registry, starting from the collaboration with researchers from Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and  capitalising on expertise in big-data and data mining, human and veterinary onco-epidemiology and genomics.

 Prof. Dr. Orlando Paciello,

DVM, PhD, Ms Infectious Diseases, Professor of Veterinary Pathology

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Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Naples Federico II

e.mail: paciello@unina.it

 Animals can play a very important role as “sentinel” for environmental risk factors for their shorter lifespan and for the lower "dose" needed to cause neoplastic disease. The assessment of the incidence of tumors in the animal population requires the planning of interventions and activities that are part of the Animal Cancer Registry. Those activities include the preparation of a territorial oncological survey service through a network of public and private veterinary facilities; the linking with the histopathological diagnostic services for the analysis of samples; a centralized database; a comparison of epidemiological trends with the creation of environmental risk maps and the definition of intervention plans. In light of these considerations, the aims of the Animal Cancer Registry in Italy, as well as in other parts of the World, are: 1) compare animal epidemiological trends of specific tumors to their human counterpart, 2) create an integrated system of permanent epidemiological surveillance data and 3) measure incidence and assess trends of neoplastic diseases in the animal population. 

 In Italy, the first Animal Cancer registry started on May 1991 at the section of Genova of the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute, the Reference Center for Veterinary and Comparative Oncology (CEROVEC) that was established by the Ministry of Health  and considered a specialist structure engaged in the field of animal tumours. One of the main activities of the CEROVEC was the activation of  the "Italian Network of Laboratories for Veterinary Oncology (Nilov)". The Nilov project aims to draw a "map" of the incidence of tumors in companion animals; in this context, the Animal Cancer Registry (RTA), managed by CEROVEC, plays the strategic role of coordinator. The main activities of the CEROVEC are: data recording;  coding of lesions according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the "International Classification of Diseases for Oncology" (ICD-O);  creation of a national computer system for the collection of oncological cases from the IIZZSS network.

In 2019 a Strategic project named “Extension of the database of the Italian network of laboratories for veterinary oncology” was financed by the Minister of Health and involved all members of the network of Experimental Zooprophylactic Institutes and the Departments of Veterinary Medicine  of the Universities of Turin, Padua, Pisa and Naples.

The first Animal Cancer Registry of the Campania Region was started in 1997 at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Naples Federico II, directed by Prof. Papparella. Later, on 2009, the Government of the Campania Region decided to establish the “Reference Center for Veterinary Urban Hygiene (CRIUV - D.G.R. 1940 of 12/30/2009), integrating together the Department of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Naples Federico II, the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of the Mezzogiorno and the Local Sanitary Agency (ASL).

 The aims of the CRIUV are the following:

• epidemiological study on parasitic, infectious and environmental-related disease with particular attention to contaminants, using animals as environmental sentinels to safeguard public health;

• collection and analysis of data related to the neoplastic diseases of animals in the database of the Regional Animal Cancer Registry;

• creation of a network of CRIUV at the AASSLL devoted to individuate areas with abnormal frequency of diseases of zoonotic and environmental interest;

• Activation of the network of collaborations for necropsy with the setting up of at least 1 unit per ASL.

 The CRIUV is the branch of the Animal Cancer Registry (RTA) of Campania which connect this latter with the CEROVEC. The RTA is structured to interface with other national and regional databases as well as with the Human Cancer Registry.

 Many projects and activities are in going in Campania on the RTA to provide new perspectives on the application of Sentinel Animal Systems and highlight the link between environmental pollution and Public Health concerns.

Prof. Franco Guscetti

Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich

Both registries are based on data from three pathology diagnostic laboratories in Switzerland. They cover specimens submissions from 1965 until present and include individual descriptors, as well as lesion’s anatomical location and diagnoses coded using the topological and morphological keys of the International Classification of Oncology for Humans (ICD-O-3). 

Initial exploratory studies (period 1965-2008) including 67,943 tumours (47.07% thereof malignant) out of samples from 121,963 dogs and 18,375 tumours (80.3% malignant) from 51,322 cats have provided a wealth of data on relative frequencies of tumor types and locations affected5,6,8,9,10. Using multiple logistic regression models the influence of sex, neutering status, age, breed, body size (for dogs), and year on tumour development was investigated in both species. While confirming several known risk factors, the large number of samples allowed to unveil previously unrecognized risk factors5,6,8,9. Analysis of more recent data on feline injection associated sarcomas (2009-2014) supports the role of vaccines in this presently decreasing disease4. Following the introduction of mandatory official registration of dogs in 2007 in Switzerland population-based tumor incidences can now be calculated. Canine skin tumour incidences were determined for 2008-2013, providing a useful reference for breeders7. Concurrently, methodology has been developed for the spatiotemporal analysis of the canine data notably taking into account structural zeros, specific societal and contextual settings, and issues related to data aggregation, spatial non-stationarity and geographic scale1,2,3. The next step will consist of a comparative study on the spatiotemporal incidence of canine and human tumors in predefined geographic areas.

References

1. Boo G, Leyk S, Fabrikant SI, Graf R, Pospischil A. Exploring Uncertainty in Canine Cancer Data Sources Through Dasymetric Refinement. Front Vet Sci. 2019 Feb 26;6:45. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00045. eCollection 2019.

2. Boo G, Leyk S, Brunsdon C, Graf R, Pospischil A, Fabrikant SI. The importance of regional models in assessing canine cancer incidences in Switzerland. PLoS One. 2018; 13(4):e0195970. 

3. Boo G, Leyk S, Fabrikant SI, Pospischil A, Graf R. Assessing effects of structural zeros on models of canine cancer incidence: a case study of the Swiss Canine Cancer Registry. Geospat Health. 2017;12(1):539.

4. Graf R, Guscetti F, Welle M, Meier D, Pospischil A. Feline Injection Site Sarcomas: Data from Switzerland 2009-2014. J Comp Pathol. 2018; 163:1-5.

5. Graf R, Grüntzig K, Boo G, Hässig M, Axhausen KW, Fabrikant S, Welle M, Meier D, Guscetti F, Folkers G, Otto V, Pospischil A. Swiss Feline Cancer Registry 1965-2008: the Influence of Sex, Breed and Age on Tumour Types and Tumour Locations. J Comp Pathol. 2016; 154(2-3):195-210. 

6. Graf R, Grüntzig K, Hässig M, Axhausen KW, Fabrikant S, Welle M, Meier D, Guscetti F, Folkers G, Otto V, Pospischil A. Swiss Feline Cancer Registry: A Retrospective Study of the Occurrence of Tumours in Cats in Switzerland from 1965 to 2008. J Comp Pathol. 2015; 153(4):266-77. 

7. Graf R, Pospischil A, Guscetti F, Meier D, Welle M, Dettwiler M. Cutaneous Tumors in Swiss Dogs: Retrospective Data From the Swiss Canine Cancer Registry, 2008-2013. Vet Pathol. 2018; 55(6):809-820. 

8. Grüntzig K, Graf R, Boo G, Guscetti F, Hässig M, Axhausen KW, Fabrikant S, Welle M, Meier D, Folkers G, Pospischil A. Swiss Canine Cancer Registry 1955-2008: Occurrence of the Most Common Tumour Diagnoses and Influence of Age, Breed, Body Size, Sex and Neutering Status on Tumour Development. J Comp Pathol. 2016; 155(2-3):156-70. 

9. Grüntzig K, Graf R, Hässig M, Welle M, Meier D, Lott G, Erni D, Schenker NS, Guscetti F, Boo G, Axhausen K, Fabrikant S, Folkers G, Pospischil A. The swiss canine cancer registry: a retrospective study on the occurrence of tumours in dogs in Switzerland from 1955 to 2008. J Comp Pathol. 2015; 152(2-3):161-71

10. Pospischil A, Hässig M, Vogel R, Salvini MM, Fabrikant S, Axhausen K, Schenker SN, Erni D, Guscetti F. [Dog population and dog breeds in Switzerland from 1955 to 2008]. Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd. 2013; 155(4):219-28. 

In Chile, EPICAD stands for “Epidemiología del Cáncer en Animales Domésticos” (Cancer Epidemiology in Domestic Animals), a pioneer initiative led by academics, researchers and students at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC). The project has been awarded by Purina Nestle in addition to UC funds and support from the Chilean College of Veterinary Medicine (COLMEVET) and the Responsible Ownership Program for Companion Animals (PTRAC) from the government. The ultimate aim of the initiative is to enhance the quality of life of affected animals and their owners by providing education and guidance to treat, cure and alleviate all kind of cancers. EPICAD is building a first Animal Cancer Registry in the country to generate a platform for research, collaboration and source of information for owners and veterinarians.

Fernando Mardones

MV MPVM PhD

Profesor Asistente

Director Pregrado

Escuela Medicina Veterinaria

Universidad Católica

Dr. Phill Bergman and Prof. Dr. Chad Johannes

Dr. Bergman is the Director of Clinical Studies for VCA. He is the principal veterinary investigator for the fully licensed canine melanoma vaccine (Oncept). Dr. Bergman is an adjunct faculty member of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in the United States.

Chad M. Johannes, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM, Oncology)

Assistant Professor of Oncology

Iowa State University

College of Veterinary Medicine

The true incidence rate of most cancers is dogs and cats in the U.S. is not well established.  Estimates utilizing tumor registries, necropsy studies, insurance-based statistics or market assumption data come with major limitations. In order to more fully understand the U.S. veterinary oncology market, more robust incidence data is an important first step. This session will outline a plan using diagnostic laboratory data from major service providers to better define cancer incidence rates in U.S. dogs and cats. The second step will be to investigate client treatment decision points and barriers to treatment.

Animal Cancer Registrty in Mexico

Dr. Carlos Eduardo Gálvez Correa