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Primary pancreatic tumours are rare, 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

* Carcinomas

* Adenocarcinomas

* Adenocarcinomas

* Adenomas

* Adenomas

It is important to make the distinction between pancreatic neoplasia and nodular hyperplasia which frequently occurs in older animals.

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.

Carcinomas:

Carcinomas:

* Usually female dogs with a mean age of 10 years

* Usually female dogs with a mean age of 10 years

* Airedale terriers may have a breed predisposition

* Spaniels and Airedale terriers may have breed predispositions

* Affected cats have a mean age of 12 years

* Affected cats have a mean age of 12 years

==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. 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. 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 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.

Non-specific including:

Non-specific including:

* Lethargy

* Lethargy

* Weight loss

* Weight loss - marked in cats

* Anorexia

* Anorexia - marked in cats

* Vomiting

* Vomiting

* Diarrhoea

* Diarrhoea

* Constipation

* Constipation

* Abdominal pain/distension

* Abdominal pain/distension due mass effect or abdominal effusions

* Jaundice - if biliary obstruction

* Jaundice - if biliary obstruction

* Alopecia - as a paraneoplastic syndrome, ventral, facial and limbs in cats with adenocarcinoma

* Alopecia - as a paraneoplastic syndrome, ventral, facial and limbs in cats with adenocarcinoma

===Physical Examination===

===Physical Examination===

===Haematology and Biochemistry===

===Haematology and Biochemistry===

Potential abnormalities include:

Potential abnormalities include:

* Anaemia

* Mild anaemia

* Neutrophilia

* Neutrophilia

* Elevated hepatic enzymes or bilirubinaemia - if there is cholestasis or biliary obstruction

* Elevated hepatic enzymes or bilirubinaemia - if there is cholestasis or biliary obstruction

* Hyperglycaemia - If there is concurrnet beta cell destruction

* Hyperglycaemia - If there is concurrent beta cell destruction

* Hypokalaemia

* Hypokalaemia

===Plain Radiography===

===Plain and Contrast Radiography===

Abdominal radiography may reveal a mass or mottled appearance on account of local peritonitis. In addition, there may be diplacement of the descending duodenum and pylorus. Where there is peritoneal metastasis and effusion loss of serosal detail and increased radiodensity may be observed. Thoracic radiography is also advised for pulmonary metastases.

Plain abdominal radiography may reveal a mass or mottled appearance on account of local peritonitis. In addition, there may be diplacement of the descending duodenum and pylorus. Where there is peritoneal metastasis and effusion loss of serosal detail and increased radiodensity may be observed. Thoracic radiography is also advised for pulmonary metastases.

 

Positive contrast radiography can be used to evaluate gastric emptying which can be delayed with pancreatic neoplasia. Compression or invasion of the duodenum may also be seen.

===Ultrasonography===

===Ultrasonography===

===Exploratory Celiotomy===

===Exploratory Celiotomy===

Excising the whole tumour if operable or taking a sample via shave biopsy or crush ligation allows histopathological confirmation.

Excising the whole tumour if operable or taking a sample via shave biopsy or crush ligation allows histopathological confirmation.

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

===Surgery===

===Surgery===

Often at the time of diagnosis adenocarcinomas have already metastasised or local invasion has already taken place. If metastasis has no yet occurred surgical resection may be attempted with care to avoid iatrogenic trauma to the vascular supply to the proximal duodenum and obstruction of the main pancreatic duct. Total pancreatectomy is not advised. Tumours of the body or base of the pancreas are inoperable. Small pancreatic adenomas may be removed via partial pancreatectomy.

Often at the time of diagnosis adenocarcinomas have already metastasised or local invasion has already taken place. If metastasis has no yet occurred surgical resection may be attempted with care to avoid iatrogenic trauma to the vascular supply to the proximal duodenum and obstruction of the main pancreatic duct. Total pancreatectomy and pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple's procedure) are not advised. Tumours of the body or base of the pancreas are inoperable. Gastrojejunostomy (gastrointestinal bypass) may be performed for short erm palliation. Small pancreatic adenomas may be removed via partial pancreatectomy.

===Chemotherapy===

===Chemotherapy===

==References==

==References==