Prostate pathology in dogs - diagnostic protocol and staging

Abstract

Studies in dogs have revealed the fact that prostate tumors appear especially in medium and large breeds, aged 8-10 years. Castration at a young age had no effect on tumor development, as it is not dependent on hormonal stimulation. The diagnosis protocol must include a broad approach: ultrasound, urography, MRI and, above all, blood neoplastic markers (PSA and acid phosphatase), cytological evaluation and radiological examination. All the information collected in the clinical diagnosis stage plays an important role in evaluating the position and size of the prostate gland, and in particular for the identification of lymph nodal, pulmonary or bone metastases. Therapies for prostate diseases in dogs (castration, pre- and post-operative chemotherapy, hormonal and immunotherapy) were carried out based on a standard protocol decided by the attending physician according to the nature of the disease, the TNM clinical stage, the patient's general state of health. The oncological treatment of prostate cancer in dogs is multimodal, it involves the combination of all means of conventional therapy, established according to the TNM, and the earlier the diagnosis,the greater the effectiveness.