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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Bladder cancer with widespread spread in 8-month-old Labrador cross

By Gerber, K & Rees, P·Published in Journal of the South African Veterinary Association·2009·kgerbervet@gmail.com·View original on PubMed

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Original publication title: Urinary bladder botryoid rhabdomyosarcoma with widespread metastases in an 8-month-old Labrador cross dog.

Species:
dog

Plain-English summary

An 8-month-old crossbred Labrador was brought in with signs of lower urinary tract obstruction, which means it was having trouble urinating. Tests showed high levels of waste in the blood and imaging revealed a mass in the bladder along with swelling in the kidneys and ureters, indicating serious issues. Sadly, further examination found that the cancer had spread to multiple organs, including the liver and lungs. The diagnosis was a rare type of cancer called botryoid rhabdomyosarcoma, which is aggressive and often difficult to treat. Unfortunately, due to the extensive spread of the disease, treatment options were limited.

People also search for: dog urinary obstruction symptoms · Labrador cancer treatment options · botryoid rhabdomyosarcoma in dogs

Abstract

An 8-month-old crossbred Labrador retriever was presented with a history and clinical signs suggestive of lower urinary tract obstruction. Laboratory results revealed azotaemia and hyperphosphataemia. Ultrasonographic evaluation of the urinary tract showed a mass at the bladder trigone, hydronephrosis, hyrodureter, and suspected metastases to lymph nodes and the liver. Pulmonary metastasis was identified on thoracic radiographs. A post mortem confirmed metastases to the liver, lungs and regional lymph nodes, as well as to the mesenteric lymph nodes, mediastinum, heart, subcutaneous tissue and several muscle groups. A histopathological diagnosis of metastatic botryoid rhabdomyosarcoma (sarcoma botryoides) was made. A review of the literature shows that, although the bladder trigone is a well documented location for this tumour, this case was unique with its widespread metastases to previously undocumented organs. The incidence, embryology, ultrasonographic appearance and treatment of this tumour are discussed.

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Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20169756/