adenocarcinoma - Page 1

I have never posted here before.  I have a 6 yo spayed bitch. diagnosis is  adenocarcinoma.  She had a bloated appearance... no lethargy... great appetitie, great play drive, all normal, but the bloating.  Took her in for bloodwork - thinking thyroid - and their equipment was "off."  When I took her in for retesting, I took in her urine which had bilibrubin.  So did a bile test which came back high.  Her liver enzymes, CBC, chem panel all within normal range.  She was hypothyroid - came back lymphocytic thyroiditis.   After the high bile test, we did a biopsy of liver, spleen and omentum(?).  Her liver biopsy came back adenocarcoma, spleen congesiton, omentum normal...  all per phone from the vet.  I have nothing in front of me.  I just got this info this evening.   WE are sending biopsies for a second opinion.  first came from Marshfield, WI.

Down anyone have any help here?!?!?  She is my first dog...  No one can even see she is sick.  All she wants to do is play, even with her belly stitched up.

Her history...  She had anaphylactic shock from 1 yo vaccines and has had titers ever since.  No vaccines other than rabies.  She has allegies to everything and eats a fish diet.  She has lumbosacral spondylosis,,,

she is not a BYB.  She is working lines, but not on the ped database.

Anyhelp would be truly appreciated....

Thank you,

Darcy

 and Majett vom SteinigTal

Adenocarcinoma refers to a cancer that is present in the epithelial cells of a gland, such as the lining of the bowel, the breast, lung, etc. (Those are the three most common adenocarcinoma sites in humans.) The prognosis and treatment for this cancer depends a lot on where the cancer is, and whether it has spread.

Unfortunately, in humans, adenocarcinoma of the liver or spleen is never a primary cancer, but one that has spread from somewhere else. If this is the same in dogs, I think the prognosis for your girl is pretty grim.

Your vet will most likely want to do more tests, such as an ultrasound or x-rays to see how far the cancer has spread, and whether surgery is an option. With cancer of the liver, it rarely is.

Sorry for the bad news. I strongly suggest you talk to your vet again, and find out more information.  Like I said, my area of expertise is human medicine (I'm a registered nurse) and things may be different for dogs.

I thought I would share a few things that I have learned for anyone that is interested.  Adenocarcinoma of the liver is common.  It may be primary cancer of the liver and if that is the case, it is often found in one lobe.  That can be removed and further treatment can be pursued.  The prognosis for this first situation is not as bad....  Often, it is a metastatic cancer from the pancreas, intestine or possible other site.  That prognosis is not as good.  Now, where did it orginate? That is where we are right now and awaiting a second opinion on our biopsies for two different vet clinics to look at.

Thank you sunsilver for your reply.....

Darcy