Study Start Date: 01/01/2011
Study End Date: 12/31/2011

Published study results can be found here and here.

The objective of this study is to measure the reduction in bone strength due to the presence of primary bone tumors in the radius/ulna of the dog by measuring the force at which these bones break in a mechanical testing device. These measurements obtained by testing tumor-bearing bones from clinical patients will be compared to measurements performed in normal bones obtained from cadavers. Tumor-bearing bones will be obtained from clinical canine patients that are undergoing amputation of the affected limb as standard of care treatment for their bone tumor, and testing of these limbs will not affect care received by these patients. Computed tomography (CT) images of these bones will also be obtained, and this study will seek to correlate calculated CT indices of bone strength with the biomechanically measured bone strength. It is hoped that correlations found will allow prediction of patients at most risk for pathologic fracture, improve patient selection for treatment options such as palliative radiation therapy.

Study Design:
Prospective cohort study

Inclusion Criteria:

• Dogs with an aggressive bony lesion of the distal radius that is radiographically consistent with a primary bone tumor
• Dogs need to be presented to the UC Davis College of Veterinary Medicine for the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients may not have had a bone biopsy within three weeks of study participation (bone aspirate OK). Patients may not have existing pathologic fracture.
• Primary bone tumors in locations other than distal radius

Study Controls:
Bones from healthy cadavers will be used as controls. Dr Steffey is also willing to discuss donations of fresh cadaver specimens with bone tumors from regional veterinarians.

Costs/Reimbursements:
Clients will receive a financial incentive toward cost of care for their pets.

Full Disclosure information:

• The study is funded by a grant from UC Davis
• 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