Prostatic carcinoma is a rare but aggressive cancer that affects a dog's prostate gland and can cause a good deal of discomfort as well as interfere with the dog's ability to pass urine. Sadly, because symptoms do not arise until the tumor is well advanced, the disease typically carries a poor prognosis. Prompt, aggressive treatment can relieve some pain and at least improve the quality, if not the quantity, of the dog's remaining days.
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Prostatic Carcinoma
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Prostatic carcinoma is a form of prostate cancer that is most commonly found in older male dogs, both neutered and intact. Adenocarcinomas develop on the inner surface of the prostate, while transitional cell carcinoma originates in adjacent glands. Some tumors are classified as undifferentiated, which means they have infiltrated the tissue to the point where they cannot be classified by point of origination. There is no known direct cause for prostate cancer, which commonly spreads to the pelvis and lower spine.
Symptoms
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The most common symptoms of prostate cancer involve urinary and bowel habits. The dog may become constipated or have trouble urinating because of an enlarged prostate, and any urine that he does manage to pass may be blood-tinged. There may be bloody or pus-like discharge from the penis, and many affected dogs develop a wide-legged gait as they try to relieve discomfort as they walk. As the disease progresses, the dog will lose his appetite and lose large amounts of weight in a short period of time. Abdominal pain may or may not be present.
Diagnosis
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If prostate trouble is suspected, the vet will perform a rectal exam to feel for enlargement or irregularity of the prostate gland. A urinalysis will help rule out urinary tract infections, which can also have many of the same symptoms, and a complete blood chemistry profile will determine the dog's overall health. X-rays and ultrasound can help visualize the exact size of the gland, as well as pinpoint any signs of spreading. Although microscopic examination of prostatic fluid can help diagnose the cancer, a biopsy is usually necessary to determine the exact type of tumor and the degree of development.
Treatment
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Prostatic carcinoma is a difficult cancer to treat. Surgery is not an option because permanent incontinence will result, and because the tumor spreads so rapidly, removal of the tumor will not cure the disease. Chemotherapy and radiation can help shrink the prostate but will not relieve the pain and discomfort associated with the disease, so these treatments should be viewed at best as palliative care--only slowing the cancer's progress. Anti-inflammatory medications can help relieve pain, and boosting immunity with dietary and herbal supplements can make the dog a bit more comfortable.
Prognosis
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Unfortunately, there is no good outcome in cases of prostate cancer for dogs. The disease generally proves fatal within 30 days after diagnosis, but radiation and chemotherapy can add up to year to the dog's life expectancy. Even if treatment is aggressive, a dog with prostatic carcinoma is not expected to recover, but should be made as comfortable as possible for the time he has left.
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