Testicle: neoplasia

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Sections available in full article Introduction, Presenting signs, Age predisposition, Sex predisposition, Breed predisposition, Special risks (e.g. anesthetic), Pathogenesis, Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Presenting problems, Client history, Clinical signs, Diagnostic investigation, Confirmation of diagnosis, Gross autopsy findings, Histopathology findings, Differential diagnosis, Treatment, Standard treatment, Prevention, Control, Prophylaxis, Sequelae, Prognosis, Expected response to treatment, Reasons for treatment failure, Sources, Publications, Vetstream contributor(s),
Contributors Dr Daniel Smeak DVM DipACVS

Introduction

  • 5% of all canine tumors, (2nd most common solid tumor).
  • Usually >10 years, (unless retained testicle leads to neoplasia in younger animal).
  • Three main types: Sertoli cell (SCT), interstitial cell (ICT), seminoma (SEM).
  • Testicular location has significant bearing on incidence and type of tumor. (A combination of 2 or more tumors in the testis is common.)
  • Secondaries occasionally seen.
  • Treatment : bilateral castration.
  • Prognosis : varies with tumor type/timing of surgery, (most are benign).

Diagnosis

Clinical signs

  • Enlarged testicle.
  • Contralateral testicle may be atrophied if affected testicle contains sertoli cell tumor.
  • Signs pertaining to anemia or thrombocytopenia caused by Sertoli cell tumor, eg pallor, petechial hemorrhage, alopecia (bilaterally symmetrical), gynecomastia, hyperpigmented skin.

Diagnosis

Differential diagnosis

  • Other abdominal mass Abdominal organomegaly , if testicle retained.
  • Orchitis or epididymitis Orchitis epididymitis.
  • Testicular torsion.
  • Trauma.
  • Spermatocoele.
  • Scrotal hernia.
  • Scrotal neoplasia.

Sequelae

Prognosis

  • Type dependent, usually good (provided removed before metastasize).

Expected response to treatment

  • Resolution of signs associated with Sertoli cell tumor within 3 weeks of removal.
  • Pancytopenia (resulting from hyperestrogenism), may never return to normal.

Reasons for treatment failure

  • 10% of Sertoli cell tumors and seminomae will metastasize.

Sources

Publications

Refereed papers

  • Dhaliwal R S, Kitchell B E & Knight B L (1999) Treatment of aggressive testicular tumors in 4 dogs. JAAHA 35 , 311-318.
  • Archbald L I et al(1997) Intestinal cell tumor. JAVMA 210 (10), 1423-1424.
  • Dahlbom M et al(1997) Testicular fine needle aspiration cytology as a diagnostic tool in dog fertility. JSAP 38 (11), 506-512.
  • England G C (1995) Ultrasonographic diagnosis of non-palpable Sertoli cell tumors in infertile dogs. JSAP 36 (11), 476-480.
  • Looijenga L H et al(1994) Seminomas of the canine testis. Counterpart of spermatocytic seminoma of men? Lab Invest 71 (4), 490-496.
  • Patnaik A K et al(1993) A clinicopathologic, histologic, and immunohistochemical study of mixed germ cell-stromal tumors of the testis in 16 dogs. Vet Pathol 30 (3), 287-295.

Other sources of information

  • Flanders J A, Schlafer D H & Yeager A E (2000) Diseases of the canine testis. In: Current Veterinary TherapyEd J Bonagura. Philadelphia: W B Saunders Co. pp 941-947,

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