Canine adrenal cancers are highly lethal due to of their potential to invade, among other places, the dog's pancreas, spinal cord and heart. Early detection and treatment of this disease can cut down on the chance for the cancer to spread. If the disease is allowed to progress, however, prognosis is generally quite poor.
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What is Canine Adrenal Cancer?
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Canine adrenal carcinomas account for about one percent of all canine malignancies, and originate from a dog's neuroendocrine cells. It typically affects older animals, often those that are beyond ten years of age.
Symptoms
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The most common symptoms of canine adrenal cancer are often weight loss, vomiting and lethargy.
Treatment
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Surgical removal of the tumor is the most common initial treatment. Following surgery, radiation and immunotherapies are excellent secondary remedies.
Prognosis
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If metastases of the adrenal tumor has occurred, prognosis is not optimal. This is because the locations that canine adrenal cancers tend to spread are to vital organs, such as the pancreas and heart. Occasionally, the spinal cord and brain can be affected as well.
Expert Insight
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Because canine adrenal gland tumors are located so close to the aorta, surgery should only be carried out by a veteran canine cancer specialist. In fact, many veterinarians refer to this particular region as the "Bermuda Triangle" of canine anatomy.
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