Prognostic factors for tumor remission and survival in dogs after surgery for primary lung tumor: 76 cases (1975-1985).

The association of various prognostic factors with remission and survival after the excision of lung tumors was evaluated in 76 dogs. Overall, the median survival time of treated dogs was 120 days; 72% had tumor that underwent remission (median duration of remission, 120 days). Dogs with tumors that underwent remission had significantly (P = 0.001) increased survival time (median, 330 days vs 28 days for dogs with tumors that did not undergo remission). The finding of normal-sized lymph nodes at the time of therapeutic thoracotomy was significantly (P = 0.001) correlated with increased remission probability (85.4% remission rate vs 43.6% in dogs with large lymph nodes). Use of various diagnostic methods to find normal regional lymph nodes before surgery indicated that such finding was significantly (P less than or equal to 0.01) correlated with increased remission duration (median remission duration, 365 days, vs 60 days for tumors in dogs with large lymph nodes), and the finding of normal lymph nodes at the time of surgery was significantly (P less than or equal to 0.01) correlated with increased survival time (median, 345 days, vs 60 days for dogs with large lymph nodes).