Background: Focusing on the standardization of the diagnoses of mammary neoplastic and hyperplastic lesions in dogs and cats, a graphical diagnostic algorithm based on the Davis-Thompson Foundation (DTF) classification has been proposed by a panel of 17 veterinary pathologists, either authors of the DTF classification and/or of the Italian guidelines on mammary tumours. To assess its effectiveness in standardizing diagnoses and improving inter-observer agreement, an international ring test study was prepared. Materials & Methods: Digitally scanned histological slides of 112 canine and feline neoplastic and hyperplastic lesions of the mammary gland were selected. Participants were recruited through congresses, webinars and personal contacts. They were requested to read and grade each slide twice, initially using the DTF classification and then strictly following the algorithm. Results will be statistically analysed to assess concordance among readers and agreement with the gold standard diagnoses derived from the consensus diagnoses of the panel. Results: Ninety-seven pathologists from 23 different countries and four continents agreed to participate as readers. Thirty-two are junior (with less than 3 years of diagnostic experience, without a diploma in veterinary pathology) and 65 are senior pathologists (39 holding a diploma in veterinary pathology). Conclusion: The broad international participation of both young and senior pathologists from different continents is remarkable and underscores the significant interest in standardizing the diagnostic approach and in participating in collaborative studies. This might represent a first extensive international concordance study for mammary tumours in dog and cat, potentially fuelling an international discussion on critical issues.
Validation of a diagnostic algorithm for the diagnosis of canine and feline mammary tumours: Update on an ongoing study
Romanucci, M.;
2025-01-01
Abstract
Background: Focusing on the standardization of the diagnoses of mammary neoplastic and hyperplastic lesions in dogs and cats, a graphical diagnostic algorithm based on the Davis-Thompson Foundation (DTF) classification has been proposed by a panel of 17 veterinary pathologists, either authors of the DTF classification and/or of the Italian guidelines on mammary tumours. To assess its effectiveness in standardizing diagnoses and improving inter-observer agreement, an international ring test study was prepared. Materials & Methods: Digitally scanned histological slides of 112 canine and feline neoplastic and hyperplastic lesions of the mammary gland were selected. Participants were recruited through congresses, webinars and personal contacts. They were requested to read and grade each slide twice, initially using the DTF classification and then strictly following the algorithm. Results will be statistically analysed to assess concordance among readers and agreement with the gold standard diagnoses derived from the consensus diagnoses of the panel. Results: Ninety-seven pathologists from 23 different countries and four continents agreed to participate as readers. Thirty-two are junior (with less than 3 years of diagnostic experience, without a diploma in veterinary pathology) and 65 are senior pathologists (39 holding a diploma in veterinary pathology). Conclusion: The broad international participation of both young and senior pathologists from different continents is remarkable and underscores the significant interest in standardizing the diagnostic approach and in participating in collaborative studies. This might represent a first extensive international concordance study for mammary tumours in dog and cat, potentially fuelling an international discussion on critical issues.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
