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Primary pancreatic tumours are rare (accounting for less than 0.5% of all cancers in the dog), however the pancreas is also a site for metastasis from particularly gastro-intestinal neoplasms. Primary tumours include:

Primary pancreatic tumours are rare (accounting for less than 0.5% of all cancers in the dog), however the pancreas is also a site for metastasis from particularly gastro-intestinal neoplasms. Primary tumours include:

* Carcinomas

* [[Pancreas Hyperplastic and Neoplastic - Pathology #Carcinomas|Carcinomas]]

* Adenocarcinomas

* Adenocarcinomas

* Adenomas

* [[Pancreas Hyperplastic and Neoplastic - Pathology #Adenomas|Adenomas]]

It is important to make the distinction between pancreatic neoplasia and pancreatic nodular hyperplasia which frequently occurs in older dogs and cats and is non-significant.

It is important to make the distinction between pancreatic neoplasia and [[Pancreas Hyperplastic and Neoplastic - Pathology #Nodular hyperplasia|pancreatic nodular hyperplasia]] which frequently occurs in older dogs and cats and is non-significant.

==Signalment==

==Signalment==

Carcinomas:

[[Pancreas Hyperplastic and Neoplastic - Pathology #Carcinomas|Carcinomas]]:

* Usually female dogs with a mean age of 10 years

* Usually female dogs with a mean age of 10 years

* Spaniels and Airedale terriers may have breed predispositions

* Spaniels and Airedale terriers may have breed predispositions

==Description==  

==Description==  

Aetiology is idiopathic. Adenomas, although they do not metastasise and are frequently small and focal they can compress the surrounding pancreas. Carcinomas are aggressive with local invasion of the stomach or duodenum and metastasis to the liver, regional lymph nodes (hepatic and splenic), lungs, periotoneal surface and other abdominal organs usually occurring prior to a diagnosis being reached. Other complications include blockage of the common bile duct and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Pancreatitis can also occur where pancreatic atrophy results in tumour necrosis and an inflammatory response.

Aetiology is idiopathic. [[Pancreas Hyperplastic and Neoplastic - Pathology #Adenomas|Adenomas]], although they do not metastasise and are frequently small and focal, can compress the surrounding pancreas. [[Pancreas Hyperplastic and Neoplastic - Pathology #Carcinomas|Carcinomas]] are aggressive with local invasion of the stomach or duodenum and metastasis to the liver, regional lymph nodes (hepatic and splenic), lungs, periotoneal surface and other abdominal organs usually occurring prior to a diagnosis being reached. Other complications include blockage of the common bile duct and [[Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency - WikiClinical|exocrine pancreatic insufficiency]]. [[Pancreatitis - WikiClinical|Pancreatitis]] can also occur where pancreatic atrophy results in tumour necrosis and an inflammatory response.

 

==Diagnosis==  

==Diagnosis==  

* Jaundice - if biliary obstruction

* Jaundice - if biliary obstruction

* Alopecia - as a paraneoplastic syndrome, occurring ventrally, facially and on the limbs in cats with adenocarcinoma

* Alopecia - as a paraneoplastic syndrome, occurring ventrally, facially and on the limbs in cats with adenocarcinoma

Such signs may also occur with concurrent pancreatitis. Alternatively clinical signs may reflect those of metastatic disease.

Such signs may also occur with concurrent [[Pancreatitis - WikiClinical|pancreatitis]]. Alternatively clinical signs may reflect those of metastatic disease.

===Physical Examination===

===Physical Examination===

In cats, a mass may be palpable in the abdomen

In cats, an abdominal mass may be palpable.

===Haematology and Biochemistry===

===Haematology and Biochemistry===