Adenoma

Oral Papilloma Neoplasia in Dog (Courtesy of Alun Williams (RVC))

Introduction

An adenoma is a benign epithelial tumour arising in the epithelium of the mucosa (stomach and intestines), glands (endocrine and exocrine) and ducts.

Adenomas observed in veterinary species include:

Perianal adenoma

Perianal gland- normal (Courtesy of Bristol BioMed Image Archive)

These tumours, also called hepatoid gland tumours, arise from the solid, modified sebaceous circumanal glands. They are the third most common tumour in intact male dogs, and arise more frequently in older dogs.

Perianal gland- adenoma (Courtesy of Bristol BioMed Image Archive)

The tumour is under hormonal control. Hepatoid glands are also found at the tail head, prepuce and other skin sites, and tumours can also arise from there.

Clinical features

Adenomas occur alone or in number, as round, well-differentiated, freely-movable masses. Tumours can become ulcerated and secondarily infected. There can be signs of perianal pain and tenesmus.

Diagnosis

Cytology of the mass will reveal large hepatoid cells with a round, central nuclei, multiple nucleoli, and an abundant cytoplasm. There may be concurrent inflammation or haemorrhage. Cytology cannot distinguish adenomas from adenocarcinomas, and further investigations should be carried out if malignancy is suspected.

Treatment

Castration is the treatment of choice and 95% of tumours will regress. Administration of oestrogens or anti-androgens can also be considered, but side-effects of those hormones should not be forgotten. Surgical removal of the tumour may be necessary if it is large, or in females.

Perianal adenoma- gross appearance (Courtesy of Bristol BioMed Image Archive)

Sweat gland adenoma

This is a tumour of the apocrine sweat gland and is rare in dogs and cats.

It can be difficult to differentiate from an adenocarcinoma, and immunohistochemistry has been used for this purpose.

Adenomas rarely ulcerate, are associated with little local inflammation and have a cystic feel on palpation.

They occur most commonly in older dogs and cats, and are usually restricted to the head.

Wide surgical excision usually carries a good prognosis.

Ceruminous gland adenoma

This occurs with some frequency in dogs and cats, and is thought to be linked to the presence of long-standing otitis externa, leading to increased glandular dysplasia.

These tumours usually occur in older animals, and conservative local resection is usually sufficient to manage them.

Sebaceous gland adenoma

These are common in older dogs and cats and are usually distinctly wart-like or cauliflower-like in appearance.

Histopathology shows large mature sebaceous lobules with increased numbers of basaloid epithelial cells and a low mitotic activity.

The prognosis is good with surgical resection.

Salivary gland adenoma

This tumour is rare in animals, and the malignant adenocarcinoma is much more common.

Mammary gland adenoma

This is a benign tumour which is quite common in cats and dogs.

Find out more information on mammary tumours.

Intestinal adenoma

Adenoma of brunners glands (duodenum) (Courtesy of Bristol BioMed Image Archive)

Intestinal adenomas are found in both the small and large intestines. Intestinal adenomas usually grow into the lumen and can be called adenomatous polyps.

Depending on the type of the insertion base, the adenoma may be pedunculated with a long stalk, or sessile with a broad base. This influences the method of resection and the rate of recurrence, as pedunculated tumours are much more easily removed.

Hepatic adenoma

It is seen mostly in sheep and cattle.

It usually presents as a single, pale, soft, often large nodule, which is well demarcated from adjacent tissue, often with a noticeable capsule.

The tissue has a normal hepatocytic appearance. No portal tracts can be seen within the mass and a capsule surrounds the growth.

Cholangiocellular adenoma

Also called biliary adenoma, it is very rare but has been reported in dogs and cats.

It shows an expansive growth and consists of slightly dilated, occasionally cystic structures, lined with cuboidal or flattened, well differentiated biliary epithelium.

Pancreatic adenoma

Image of multifocal pancreatic adenoma in a dog from Cornell Veterinary Medicine

Adenoma of the exocrine (zymogen) cells of the pancreas is known in several species and is recognised by its ductal or acinar pattern of cells, with an expanding growth pattern and complete encapsulation. Cystic spaces may be created by the tumour cells, which may also project in a papillary pattern into the lumen of the cysts.

Hyperplastic nodules may be present in the pancreas of older animals. They are usually less well encapsulated than adenomas, but may be difficult to distinguish with certainty. They are usually multiple.

Adenoma Learning Resources
Flashcards Test your knowledge using flashcard type questions	Cytology Q&A 07

References

Withrow, S. (2001) Small animal clinical oncology Elsevier Health Sciences

Morrison, W. (2002) Cancer in dogs and cats: medical and surgical management Teton NewMedia

Carlyle Jones, T. (1997) Veterinary pathology Wiley-Blackwell

Cheville, N. (1999) Introduction to veterinary pathology Wiley-Blackwell