Immunohistochemistry can be applied in veterinary oncology to define the immunophenotype of neoplastic cells with unlimited possibilities of application. The technique is based on the identification of antigens "in situ", which may have prognostic and therapeutic value. Expression of estrogen and progesterone is directly related to better prognosis for breast cancer, while over-expression of receptor KIT (CD117) proteins Ki-67 (MIB-1), COX-2, VEGF and CD31 can be associated with tumor progression for several histological types. This association has a potential predictive value, due to the possibility of using specific blockers. This revision aims at presenting the possibilities of immunohistochemical's application in tumors of dogs, searching for a more precise definition of the prognosis and indication of specific treatments for each patient.
pathology; oncology; dog; neoplasms; prognosis
