Pathology in Practice

Case report: Clitoral adenocarcinoma in a mixed-breed female dog

“…If canine clitoral adenocarcinomas are not addressed, metastasis to locoregional lymph nodes has occurred, with histologic confirmation, in 60% of the previously reported cases (1,2,7,8). Additionally, 60% of the previously reported cases of canine clitoral adenocarcinoma resulted in euthanasia for tumor-related reasons (1,2,(6)(7)(8). initially treated with cephalexin for 14 days, which resolved a secondary bacterial component but did not eradicate the underlying primary skin lesion.…”

“…of the clitoris and in the clitoral fossa (1). Clitoral adenocarcinomas in the bitch share a variety of clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical features with apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinomas; though in all canine clitoral adenocarcinoma cases previously reported, examined anal glands were normal (1,2,(6)(7)(8). A review of six cases of clitoral adenocarcinoma describes the condition as occurring in spayed females with a median age of 9.5 years (1).…”

“…Clinical signs include vulvar licking, perineal swelling and irritation, hemorrhagic vulvar discharge, lower urinary tract signs, and the presence of a visible or prolapsed soft tissue mass. Clitoral masses have also been an incidental finding on physical exam (1,8). Previous case reports suggest that, in dogs, hypercalcemia of malignancy is present in up to half of the cases of clitoral adenocarcinoma (1,2,6,8).…”

“…Clitoral masses have also been an incidental finding on physical exam (1,8). Previous case reports suggest that, in dogs, hypercalcemia of malignancy is present in up to half of the cases of clitoral adenocarcinoma (1,2,6,8). Hypercalcemia of malignancy has most commonly been associated with lymphoproliferative disorders and canine apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma and has not previously been reported to be associated with canine vaginal or vulvar tumors (1, 2).…”

“…However, the condition has been reported to be associated with canine penile adenocarcinoma (9). If canine clitoral adenocarcinomas are not addressed, metastasis to locoregional lymph nodes has occurred, with histologic confirmation, in 60% of the previously reported cases (1,2,7,8). Additionally, 60% of the previously reported cases of canine clitoral adenocarcinoma resulted in euthanasia for tumor-related reasons (1,2,(6)(7)(8).…”