Prostate Cancer in Dogs
Key takeaways
Prostate cancer is an uncommon condition affecting male dogs, characterized by unregulated cell growth of the prostatic tissue.
- Prostate tumors can be benign but are more commonly malignant, spreading to bones, lymph nodes, and lungs
- Tumors take time to develop, and symptomatic dogs rarely require emergency intervention
- However, the prognosis for prostate cancer is poor, with a high fatality rate, necessitating prompt intervention to begin treatment
- Diagnostics include a physical examination, diagnostic imaging, bloodwork, urinalysis, and examination of prostate or urethral cells
- The malignant nature of prostate cancer makes treatment difficult
- Surgery, chemotherapy, and medication may be attempted, but euthanasia is commonly considered due to the poor long-term prognosis even with treatment
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A closer look: Prostate Cancer in Dogs
Prostate glands produce seminal nutrients, and are located by a dog’s bladder.
Prostate cancer is an uncommon condition that can affect intact and neutered male dogs, with neutered dogs having a higher risk. Middle aged and older dogs are most at risk. Prostate cancer is less common than other prostate diseases, such as infection and benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Prostate tumors develop slowly, and are not generally considered a medical emergency. However, while unlikely to cause immediate life-threatening symptoms, metastasized prostate cancer is a serious condition and affected dogs benefit from rapid intervention to begin treatment.
Prostate tumors can obstruct a dog’s urethra, restricting their ability to urinate. Dogs unable to urinate require emergency intervention.
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Risk factors
Prostate tumors are often highly malignant, and symptoms vary as cancer spreads into adjacent tissues:
Possible causes
Some breeds appear more susceptible than others, suggesting a genetic predisposition to prostate cancer.
These tumors are usually aggressively malignant, spreading into surrounding tissue and nearby bones and metastasizing to local lymph nodes. In late stages, cancer may also spread into a dog’s lungs.
The most common types of prostate tumors are:
- Adenocarcinomas
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Fibrosarcoma
- Leiomyosarcoma
- Osteosarcoma
- Hemangiosarcoma
Main symptoms
Testing and diagnosis
Diagnostics include:
- A physical examination
- Bloodwork
- Diagnostic imaging
- Urinalysis
- Genetic testing
- Urethral/prostate cell analysis
- Biopsy
Steps to Recovery
Chemotherapy is the main treatment modality used for prostatic cancers. Surgery is unreliable, as prostatic tumors have often spread before treatment can begin.
Other options include:
- Photodynamic therapy
- Prostatic artery embolization
- Medication, such as NSAIDs
- Bisphosphonates to reduce spread to bones
Treatments may be supported by;
- Antibiotics
- Analgesics
- Medication
- Stents or tubes for urinary bypass in patients with urinary blockage
Prognosis for prostate cancer is usually poor, and many dogs have metastases of the tumor to other organs by the time of diagnosis.
Extensive monitoring during recovery is required. Even with aggressive treatment, life expectancy is often less than a year, making euthanasia a common consideration.
Prevention
There are no known preventative measures against prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is not contagious.
Is Prostate Cancer in Dogs common?
While uncommon overall, prostate cancer is more common in older dogs, and in castrated animals.
