Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dogs with non-cortisol adrenal tumors not removed-signs and outcomes
By Arenas, C et al.·Published in The Veterinary record·2013·Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery Clinical Sciences, Spain·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical features, outcome and prognostic factors in dogs diagnosed with non-cortisol-secreting adrenal tumours without adrenalectomy: 20 cases (1994-2009).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 12-year-old dog was diagnosed with a non-cortisol-secreting adrenal tumor after showing signs of lethargy and weakness. Most dogs with this type of tumor are often asymptomatic, and many do not show signs until the tumor has grown significantly. The study found that dogs with larger tumors or those that had metastases (spread to other areas) had a shorter survival time, averaging about 17.8 months. Interestingly, the presence of high blood pressure was linked to tumor growth, which could help vets monitor the condition. Overall, dogs with these tumors can have a relatively good survival rate even without surgery.
People also search for: dog adrenal tumor symptoms · dog lethargy and weakness · non-cortisol-secreting adrenal tumor treatment
Abstract
The aims of this study were to describe the clinical features, the outcome and the prognostic factors of dogs with non-cortisol-secreting adrenal masses without adrenalectomy, and also to provide clinical data that can be useful for making decisions when managing dogs with these types of neoplasms. Medical records from 1994 to 2009 were reviewed and 20 dogs were included in the study. The results showed that mean age at diagnosis for dogs with non-cortisol-secreting adrenal masses was 12 years with no sex predisposition. Most dogs were asymptomatic. The most frequent clinical signs, when present, were lethargy, weakness and hypertension. Radiological evidence of metastases at diagnosis was not frequent. The maximal dorso-ventral thickness of the adrenal mass ranged from 10.0 to 45.0 mm. Right adrenal gland masses were more frequent than left-sided. Hypertension was found to be related to tumour growth during follow-up. The median survival time of dogs with non-cortisol-secreting tumours was 17.8 months. Body weight at diagnosis, tumour size and the presence of metastases at diagnosis were inversely related to survival. In conclusion, survival of dogs with non-cortisol-secreting adrenal tumours without adrenalectomy is relatively high and comparable with that of dogs treated with adrenalectomy. Dogs with metastasis and large adrenal tumours have a poorer prognosis. Hypertension is related to tumour growth, and might be used as an additional tool to assess the potential growing capacity of the tumour.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24145503/