Clinical Characterization and Mutations of the c-kit Gene in Dogs with Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors

Abstract

We studied the clinical characteristics of 11 dogs with gastrointestinal stromal tumors and investigated the c-kit gene mutations in the resected tumor tissues. The affected dogs were aged 6 to 14 years, and there were six males and five females. The tumors originated in the cecum in seven cases (63.6%), the small intestine in two cases (18%), and the duodenum and the colon in one case each (both 9%). The type of cancerous growth was classified as extra-luminal in seven cases (63.6%), intra-mural in one case (9%), intra-luminal in two cases (18%), and indistinct in one case (9%). C-kit gene mutations were found in exon 11 in six cases (54.5%), while there were none in exons 8, 9 and 13. C-kit gene mutations occurred in 54.5% of cases and in 80% of the cases involving the cecum and extra-luminal growth; hence, c-kit gene mutation might be related to the cause of canine gastrointestinal stromal tumors.