Location: | Scrotum |
Behaviour: | Mostly accidental finding |
Diagnostics: | Physical examination, ultrasound, biopsy |
Treatment: | Surgical removal (primary tumour) |
Prognosis: | Very good after surgery |
Location: | Scrotum |
Behaviour: | Mostly accidental finding |
Diagnostics: | Physical examination, ultrasound, biopsy |
Treatment: | Surgical removal (primary tumour) |
Prognosis: | Very good after surgery |
The most prevalent testicular tumours are Sertoli cell tumours, Leydig cell tumours and seminomas.
Sertoli cell tumours originate from cells that line the sperm canals and support the formation of sperm.
Leydig cell tumours originate from interstitial cells near the sperm canals and produce testosterone.
Seminomas originate from germ cells in the sperm canals.
In the testes, tumours can develop from different cell types, each with their own properties. Depending on the involved cell type, the tumour can behave differently (e.g. by disturbing the hormone balance). Most dogs with testicular tumours are asymptomatic and a testicular mass is discovered as an incidental finding. If clinical signs are apparent, they are the result of metastases or a disturbed hormone balance.
Non-descended testes have higher chances of tumoural degeneration into Sertoli cell tumours and seminomas. The overall prevalence for testicular tumours in intact dogs is 7%.
These tumours are most common in older male dogs around the age of 10 years. Over 60% of undescended testes tumours have been identified in middle-aged dogs (6-10 years).
A higher risk for the development of testicular tumours has been reported for Afghan Hound, Boxers, Collie, Maltese dog, Shetland sheepdog, and Weimaraner vs other dogs.
Physical examination of intact male dogs, and particularly older dogs, should always include palpation of the testicles for masses and/or asymmetry. When the veterinarian detects irregularities, a rectal examination can be performed to identify further abnormalities such as swelling of the local lymph nodes.
The veterinarian can use ultrasound to inspect the abdominal cavity / the testicle and check whether there is an undescended testicle. If this is the case, the veterinarian examines whether it has an abnormal shape and if enlarged lymph nodes are present. Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspirates of testicular tumours are hardly performed as they may at best support a suspicion of neoplasia.
In dogs with clinical signs of hormone imbalance, the veterinarian can draw blood to check for an altered testosterone/oestradiol ratio.
Removal of the testes and scrotum is always recommended to treat testicular cancer. Clinical signs of disturbance in the hormone balance disappear automatically within 1-3 months after the surgical intervention. If these symptoms persist, this may indicate the presence of metastases. Dogs with a suboptimal function of the bone marrow due to an excess of oestrogen require close monitoring during and after the surgical intervention for complications requiring medical product intervention with blood products and/or antibiotics.
In case of metastases, chemotherapy or radiation can be considered, although their effect has so far not been described extensively enough to be able to draw any solid conclusions.
AURA Veterinary
Surrey, United Kingdom
Hospital for Small Animals, Royal (Dick) Vet School of Veterinary Studies
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Anicura Clinica veterinaria Malpensa
Samarate, Italy
Auna Especialidades Veterinaria
Paterna, Spain
hello@auravet.com
+44 (0)1483 668100
https://www.auravet.com/clinical-trials/
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Merelbeke, Belgium
cardiologie.khd@ugent.be; Gitte.Mampaey@UGent.be
https://www.ugent.be/di/khd/nl/onderzoek/betere-hartscreening-chemo-hond
AURA Veterinary
Surrey, United Kingdom