Canine Adrenal Cortical Cancer

The adrenal glands in dogs are composed of two parts, the outer cortex and the inner medulla. The adrenal glands are responsible for regulating sex hormones, levels of sodium in the kidneys and immune system activity. The adrenal glands can become cancerous, and if the tumor occurs in the outer cortex, it is called an adrenocortical tumor.

  1. Causes

    • Adrenocortical tumors are usually caused by prolonged stimulation of the pituitary gland, which can happen from a pituitary dysfunction, some medications or environmental toxins, according to Fetchdog.

    Types

    • Adrenocortical tumors can be an overgrowth of tissue (hyperplasia), benign or malignant cancer. Benign or hyperplasic tumors can progress to malignant tumors over time.

    Features

    • According to Courteous Canines, LLC, certain breeds, like Yorkshire terriers, beagles, German shepherds and poodles have an increased genetic predisposition toward Cushing's disease, a disorder of the adrenal glands that can increase the likelihood of developing adrenal cortical cancer.

    Expert Insight

    • A 2005 study conducted by Dr. P. Labelle at the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology in the School of Veterinary Medicine at University of California, Davis, determined metastatic adrenal cortex tumors in dogs can be caused by 26 different types of cancers, with pulmonary, prostate, pancreatic carcinoma, mammary and melanoma being the most common sources.

    Outcome

    • According to the Pet Cancer Center, the prognosis for animals with nonmetastatic adrenal tumors is good, though up to 50 percent of adrenocortical tumors metastasize, particularly in the liver and lungs.