Mucinous Carcinoma in Dogs

Identification

• A mucinous carcinoma is a malignant tumor that is characterized by a sticky consistency. This consistency is caused by a significant amount of mucin that is secreted by the body. Other names for mucinous carcinomas may be colloid carcinoma, gelatinform carcinoma and mucinous adenocarcinoma.

Mammary Tumors

• A mucinous carcinoma may be found in the mammary glands. This is known as mammary cancer, and it is one of the most common cancers in female dogs. According to petcancercenter.org, approximately 50 percent of all mammary tumors are malignant. Other types of tumors that may cause this type of cancer in dogs are the simple carcinoma, the lipid-rich carcinoma and the complex carcinoma. Dogs may have a single tumor in the mammary glands, or may have multiple tumors. The symptoms associated with mammary cancer in dogs may include thickness in the mammary glands, swelling, signs of pain, firmness and warmth. Surgery to remove the mucinous carcinoma tumor from the dog may be performed, followed by radiation therapy.

Gastric Tumors

• Cancerous tumors of the stomach may affect dogs. The average age of pets affected by gastric cancer is 8 years of age, and it is more common in males than females. Some types of tumors that are found in the stomach are mast cell tumor, lymphoma, fibrosarcoma and mucinous adenocarcinoma. The symptoms associated with stomach cancer in dogs are vomiting, vomiting blood, weakness and weight loss. The treatment for cancerous tumors in the stomach is surgery. If the cancer has not spread to other organs, removing the tumor in the stomach may be beneficial for the dog. Chemotherapy and radiation are usually not part of the treatment plan, due to fear of harming other organs that are in close proximity to the stomach.

Salivary Gland Tumors

• Dogs can develop salivary gland tumors. The tumors that develop in this area are usually mucinous adenocarcinomas, with the mandibular gland being the most commonly affected gland. Salivary tumors are rare in dogs, most often affecting older dogs. The symptoms associated with salivary tumors are foul breath, difficulty swallowing, weight loss and loss of appetite. Other symptoms associated with these types of tumors are swelling of the upper lip, tongue, base of the ear or upper neck. Removal of the tumor is recommended when possible, with radiation therapy being recommended for tumors that cannot be completely removed. Removal of mucinous adenocarcinomas from the salivary gland can be difficult due to the intricate anatomy of the salivary system.

Considerations

• If your dog has any unusual symptoms, consult your veterinarian. When dealing with cancer in dogs, it is imperative to obtain a diagnosis and treatment plan as early as possible.