Study Start Date: 09/01/2011
Study End Date: 07/01/2012

Contrast Enhanced Imaged Guided Surgery for Cancer
In spite of our improved understanding of cancer molecular biology, the vast majority of curative cancer treatments include surgical resection of the tumor. Inadequate resection of all cancerous tissue during surgery significantly contributes to the morbidity and mortality of the disease. When "curative" surgery is attempted but incomplete surgical margins are obtained, dogs can develop both local cancer recurrence and distant metastatic disease. The goal of the current proposal is to evaluate an innovative, new, handheld intra-operative imaging system that detects probes (dyes) that accumulate within tumors. By using this instrument, surgeons can assess proposed surgical margins intra-operatively and examine the surgical field for residual cancerous tissue after the primary tumor has been removed. If the cancer-targeted probe is detected in the remaining tissue, additional tissue can be removed, decreasing the likelihood of tumor recurrence or metastases. We propose evaluating this imaging system in canine lung tumors, mammary tumors, and soft tissue sarcomas and compare the tumor and its margins as detected by the imaging system to histopathology of the same areas.

Study Design:
Prospective case series

Sample Size:
30 dogs

Inclusion Criteria:

• Dogs with:
  • Primary lung tumors
  • Mammary tumors
  • Soft tissue sarcomas
• Tumors must be amenable to surgical resection.
• All patients must be treated at University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Evidence of distant metastatic disease

Study Controls:
NA

Study Endpoints:
NA

Costs/Reimbursments
Primary lung tumors: $1500 towards the cost of treatment
Mammary tumors: $750
Soft tissue sarcomas: $500

Full Disclosure information:

• The study is funded by a grant from NIH and AKC.
• The investigator does not have a conflict of interest.
• The study will be published if results are negative.
• The study will be reported on VIN.
• The authors will acknowledge VIN if the study is published.

Date published: 10/26/2011