Chromosomic breaks and gaps in breast carcinomas of female dog

Abstract

A cytogenetic study of canine breast carcinomas was performed in order to identify the occurrence of chromosomal abnormalities. Samples of spontaneous canine mammary tumors were submitted for histopathological evaluation and for cytogenetic analysis. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used for the former and conventional Giemsa staining and NOR banding were performed for the latter. Chromosomal breaks and/or gaps affecting autosomes and sex chromosomes were seen in 5 of a total of 14 cases. The percentage of metaphases with abnormal chromosomes was 61%, the average number of metaphase`s chromosomes affected was 1.26, while a media of 1.47 breaks and/or gaps was seen per metaphase. These alterations were observed in complex and simple carcinomas. We propose to include this type of cytogenetic study in addition to routine techniques in order to improve the diagnosis and prognosis prediction