Exocrine Pancreatic Neoplasia - Dogs and Cats
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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:
- Carcinomas
- Adenocarcinomas
- Adenomas
It is important to make the distinction between pancreatic neoplasia and nodular hyperplasia which frequently occurs in older animals.
Signalment
Carcinomas:
- Usually female dogs with a mean age of 10 years
- Airedale terriers may have a breed predisposition
- Affected cats have a mean age of 12 years
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, 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.
Diagnosis
Clinical Signs
Non-specific including:
- Lethargy
- Weight loss
- Anorexia
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain/distension
- Jaundice - if biliary obstruction
- Alopecia - as a paraneoplastic syndrome, ventral, facial and limbs in cats with adenocarcinoma
Physical Examination
In cats, a mass may be palpable in the abdomen