Canine apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma (AGASAC) is a malignant tumour with variable clinical progression. The objective of this study was to use robust multivariate models, based on models employed in human medical oncology, to establish clinical and histopathological risk factors of poor survival. Clinical data and imaging of 81 cases with AGASAC were reviewed. Tissue was available for histological review and immunohistochemistry in 49 cases. Tumour and lymph node size were determined using the response evaluation criteria in solid tumours system (RECIST). Modelling revealed tumour size over 2 cm, lymph node size grouped in three tiers by the two thresholds 1.6 cm and 5 cm, surgical management, and radiotherapy were independent clinical variables associated with survival, irrespective of tumour stage. Tumour size over 1.3 cm and presence of distant metastasis were independent clinical variables associated with first progression free interval. The presence of the histopathological variables of tumour necrosis, a solid histological pattern, and vascular invasion in the primary tumour were independent risk factors of poor survival. Based upon these independent risk factors, scoring algorithms to predict survival in AGASAC patients are presented.

Medical records from a single veterinary referral hospital, were searched for dogs diagnosed with apocrine gland adenocarcinoma of the anal sac. Clinical information was collected by retrospective review of medical and imaging records. Cases that had tissue blocks available, had histological review and Ki67 immunohistochemistry performed.

Missing values are indicated and are either due to that specific parameter not being recorded in the medical records, or, in the case of the immunohistochemistry technical issues preventing staining of those tissue blocks. Cases with first progression free interval (PFI) data had imaging examination or physical examination at the referral veterinary hospital to determine disease progression status.