Comparative Oncology: Management of Hepatic Neoplasia in Humans and Dogs

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Hepatocellular carcinoma is identified not uncommonly within the canine and human population. Substantial effort has been put forth to identify treatment strategies that can maximize positive outcomes in people diagnosed with this disease. While the origin of this disease in dogs is different than in people, treatment strategies remain similar, and translatable, across species even if indications for treatment are unique between the two populations. Below is a summary of treatment trends in veterinary medicine regarding canine liver cancer and a comparison to the treatment options utilized in human medicine. Current strategies within each population are compared and explored, which serves as a foundation for future research endeavors. The dog has been considered as a model for novel treatment options in human medicine and the hope is that this will continue to provide benefit to both canine and human populations during the management of hepatocellular carcinoma. ABSTRACT: Primary hepatic neoplasia is uncommonly reported in dogs. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent neoplasia identified in dogs and considerable effort has been committed towards identifying definitive and palliative treatment options. HCC is well recognized in humans as a sequelae of liver disease such as hepatitis or cirrhosis, while in dogs a similar link has failed to be fully elucidated. Management of HCC in people may be curative or palliative dependent on staging and transplant eligibility. Despite differences in etiology, there is substantial similarity between treatment options for liver neoplasia in human and veterinary medicine. The below summary provides a comparative discussion regarding hepatic neoplasia in dogs and people with a specific focus on HCC. Diagnosis as well as descriptions of the myriad treatment options will be reviewed.