Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Paraganglioma, pituitary adenoma, and osteosarcoma in a dog.
- Journal:
- Veterinary clinical pathology
- Year:
- 2016
- Authors:
- Robat, Cecilia et al.
- Affiliation:
- UW Madison School of Veterinary Medicine · United States
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
An 11-year-old neutered male Alaskan Malamute mixed-breed dog was brought to the vet because he was drinking and urinating a lot, losing weight, breathing rapidly, and regurgitating. He had a history of untreated bone cancer in his leg that was diagnosed about 21 months earlier. During the exam, the vet found a mass in his abdomen, which was later identified as a type of tumor called a pheochromocytoma (a tumor that affects hormone production). Tests showed he had low red blood cell and platelet counts, high levels of certain enzymes, and elevated calcium in his blood. Despite receiving supportive care, the dog's quality of life declined, and he was euthanized six months later. A post-mortem examination confirmed the presence of the pheochromocytoma, a pituitary adenoma (a tumor in the pituitary gland), and the previously diagnosed osteosarcoma.
Abstract
An 11-year-old neutered male Alaskan Malamute mixed-breed dog was presented with a complaint of polyuria/polydipsia (PU/PD), weight loss, tachypnea, regurgitation, and a previous history of nontreated osteosarcoma of the right distal radius, diagnosed 21 months prior. On physical examination, an abdominal mass was palpated. The abdominal mass was aspirated and cytologically diagnosed as a neuroendocrine tumor, suspected to be a pheochromocytoma. Laboratory examination revealed a mild anemia and thrombocytopenia, markedly elevated ATP and ALP activities, and moderate hypercalcemia. A low-dose dexamethasone suppression test and endogenous adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentration were compatible with pituitary hyperadrenocorticism. On urinalysis, proteinuria was noted as well as a high urine metanephrine/creatinine ratio, consistent with a diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. The dog was treated with supportive care and euthanized 6 months later due to decreasing quality of life. On necropsy, an extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma (paraganglioma) was diagnosed in the caudal abdomen, and a pituitary adenoma and an osteosarcoma of the right distal radius were confirmed.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27428777/