Clinical features, outcome and prognostic factors in dogs diagnosed with non‐cortisol‐secreting adrenal tumours without adrenalectomy: 20 cases (1994–2009)

Abstract

The aims of this study were to describe the clinical features, the outcome and the prognostic factors of dogs with non-cortisol-secreting adrenal masses without adrenalectomy, and also to provide clinical data that can be useful for making decisions when managing dogs with these types of neoplasms. Medical records from 1994 to 2009 were reviewed and 20 dogs were included in the study. The results showed that mean age at diagnosis for dogs with non-cortisol-secreting adrenal masses was 12 years with no sex predisposition. Most dogs were asymptomatic. The most frequent clinical signs, when present, were lethargy, weakness and hypertension. Radiological evidence of metastases at diagnosis was not frequent. The maximal dorso-ventral thickness of the adrenal mass ranged from 10.0 to 45.0 mm. Right adrenal gland masses were more frequent than left-sided. Hypertension was found to be related to tumour growth during follow-up. The median survival time of dogs with non-cortisol-secreting tumours was 17.8 months. Body weight at diagnosis, tumour size and the presence of metastases at diagnosis were inversely related to survival. In conclusion, survival of dogs with non-cortisol-secreting adrenal tumours without adrenalectomy is relatively high and comparable with that of dogs treated with adrenalectomy. Dogs with metastasis and large adrenal tumours have a poorer prognosis. Hypertension is related to tumour growth, and might be used as an additional tool to assess the potential growing capacity of the tumour.

Perioperative morbidity and mortality in dogs with invasive adrenal neoplasms treated by adrenalectomy and cavotomy

“…Authors of one small study reported prolonged survival (mean, 13.1 months) in a group of dogs with mainly noninvasive non–cortisol‐producing tumors . Only 3 dogs in this study had vascular invasion into the vena cava, and, although none of the primary tumors grew significantly during the follow‐up period, caval thrombosis was progressive in all 3 . The results of hypofractionated stereotactic volumetric‐modulated arc radiotherapy were also reported recently in 9 dogs with invasive adrenal tumors .…”

“…The results of conservative management are difficult to quantitate because data are scarce and few investigators report the results of noninterventional management. Authors of one small study reported prolonged survival (mean, 13.1 months) in a group of dogs with mainly noninvasive non–cortisol‐producing tumors . Only 3 dogs in this study had vascular invasion into the vena cava, and, although none of the primary tumors grew significantly during the follow‐up period, caval thrombosis was progressive in all 3 .…”

“…16 Only 3 dogs in this study had vascular invasion into the vena cava, and, although none of the primary tumors grew significantly during the follow-up period, caval thrombosis was progressive in all 3. 16 The results of hypofractionated stereotactic volumetricmodulated arc radiotherapy were also reported recently in 9 dogs with invasive adrenal tumors. 17 These dogs received between 30 and 45 Gy in 3 or 5 consecutive daily fractions and experienced a median survival time of 1030 days.…”

Incidental Adrenocortical Carcinoma in Dogs: Clinical, Tomographic and Histopathological

“…Nesse caso optou--se pela ressecção cirúrgica da massa após avaliação da vascularização, contorno irregular da massa, posicionamento deslocando a veia cava caudal ventrolateralmente e o tamanho (4 cm de diâmetro aproximadamente) indicando malignidade. Em humanos a adrenalectomia é indicada somente em massas acima de 4-6 cm ou quando há invasão vascular, porém em veterinária, apesar de estudos que ajudam no manejo clínico, não há consenso sobre as recomendações ao se diagnosticar massa em adrenal [3,18].…”

Selecting The Best Treatment Option For A Dog With Cushing’S Syndrome

“…The median survival time in dogs with ATs treated with mitotane were 10 and 15.6 months and in those treated with trilostane it was 14 months [69,70]. In both studies mitotane was used in a protocol for selective destruction to resolve the clinical signs and not for complete destruction of the AT and metastases.…”