Dogs are susceptible to a variety of malignant tumors, one of which is adenocarcinoma, also called anal sac cancer. Adenocarcinoma can affect any dog, but it is most prominent in female and elderly dogs.
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Definition
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Adenocarcinoma is a form of cancer that occurs in the last inch of the gastrointestinal tract, in the apocrine glands of the rectum.
Symptoms
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Symptoms include straining to have bowel movements, increased thirst and urination, swelling in the lymph nodes, hypercalcemia and kidney complications.
Diagnosis
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Veterinarians begin by taking a blood cell count and examining blood chemistry to look for markers of cancer. Should the blood show reason for concern, an ultrasound or X-ray can be used to identify tumor location and size. X-rays may also be used to look for signs of metastasizing.
Treatment
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The Merck Veterinary Manual and Canine Cancer Awareness Organization both believe that the best course of action is surgery to remove tumors. Radiation and chemotherapy are used as a second line of defense, should a tumor prove inoperable, or in combination with surgery to obtain a better long-term prognosis.
Prognosis
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According to The Merck Veterinary Manual, most tumors will recur within a few months, even if all treatment protocols are followed. Average survival is nine months post-diagnosis.
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