Hyperadrenocorticism associated with excessive sex hormone production by an adrenocortical tumor in two dogs

J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2001 Dec 15;219(12):1725-8, 1707-8. doi: 10.2460/javma.2001.219.1725.

Abstract

An 11-year-old spayed female Labrador Retriever and a 9-year-old castrated male miniature Poodle were evaluated because of clinical signs of hyperadrenocorticism. Cortisol testing did not support a diagnosis of hypercortisolemia in either dog; however, imaging studies revealed unilateral adrenal tumors in both dogs. Serum concentrations of 17-hydroxyprogesterone, progesterone, and estradiol were high in both dogs, and androstenedione concentrations were also high in 1 dog. It is suspected that sex hormone secretion by the adrenal tumors in these dogs resulted in clinical signs of hyperadrenocorticism. Clinical signs and hormonal abnormalities resolved in the male dog after surgical resection of the tumor. There was no improvement in clinical signs after treatment with mitotane in the female dog, which died 2 months after diagnosis. Histologic evaluation confirmed the presence of adrenocortical carcinoma in both dogs.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / complications
  • Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / therapy
  • Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / veterinary*
  • Adrenalectomy / economics
  • Adrenalectomy / veterinary
  • Adrenocortical Carcinoma / complications
  • Adrenocortical Carcinoma / therapy
  • Adrenocortical Carcinoma / veterinary*
  • Adrenocortical Hyperfunction / blood
  • Adrenocortical Hyperfunction / etiology
  • Adrenocortical Hyperfunction / veterinary*
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / therapeutic use
  • Dog Diseases / blood
  • Dog Diseases / etiology*
  • Dog Diseases / therapy
  • Dogs
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones / blood*
  • Hydrocortisone / blood
  • Male
  • Mitotane / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones
  • Mitotane
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
  • Hydrocortisone