Introduction
Prostatic cancer is a serious disease that occurs in both neutered and unneutered male dogs. Left untreated, it is almost certain to become locally invasive and to metastasize to other tissues, including lymph nodes, lungs and bone. Treatment goals include control of long-term disease by surgically removing the tumor(s), which unfortunately often is not possible since most cases have spread by the time they are diagnosed. If surgical correction is not an option, palliative treatments are available to help minimize the clinical signs that accompany prostate disease and help affected dogs live as pain-free as possible for the duration of their lives.
Treating Prostate Cancer in Dogs
Definitive Therapy for Dogs
Surgery is the only viable “cure” for prostate cancer, assuming that it has not metastasized. Surgical options include partial or complete prostatectomy (removal of the prostate), with or without preservation of the urethra depending upon its involvement. If the urethra is removed, a cystostomy tube will be placed so that the dog can urinate. Given the extremely high chance of metastatic disease accompanying prostate cancer, most veterinarians will use chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment as adjuncts to surgery.
Palliative Therapy for Dogs
“Palliative” means providing relief. Palliative treatment options are used in dogs whose prostate cancer has spread and in cases of local infiltration by tumors that are not suitable for surgical removal. The goals of palliative treatment are pain relief and keeping the urethra patent (open).
One form of palliative therapy is chemotherapy – which is the use of drugs to treat disease. Chemotherapy has proven to be effective in treating many canine cancers. It is, however, expensive and may only be offered in specialized treatment centers. Owners can be referred to veterinary oncologists who specialize in chemotherapeutic treatment of cancer.
Another form of palliative therapy is use of radiation, either with or in lieu of surgery. Radiation usually is administered in small doses over several weeks. Like surgery and chemotherapy, radiation may be used as the sole treatment, or in combination with others.
Canine prostate cancer is aggressive and invasive. Even after treatment, affected dogs should be monitored regularly by a veterinarian for signs of metastasis. Unfortunately, because the disease is so prone to spreading locally and distantly, dogs with clinical signs caused by prostatic neoplasia have a guarded to very poor prognosis. Proper management can help prolong the dog’s quality of life if surgical removal of the cancer is not possible. Only a veterinarian can determine the best course of treatment for a dog with canine prostate cancer.