Pheochromocytoma in dogs: 61 cases (1984-1995)

J Vet Intern Med. 1997 Sep-Oct;11(5):272-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.1997.tb00464.x.

Abstract

This report presents the clinical, laboratory, imaging, and pathologic findings in 61 dogs with pheochromocytoma by retrospective evaluation of medical records. Pheochromocytomas were diagnosed by histopathologic examination of tissue specimens in all dogs. Special stains (chromogranin A and synaptophysin) also were used to confirm the chromaffin cell origin of the tumors. Epidemiologic findings were in agreement with previous studies, indicating that pheochromocytomas affect middle-aged to older dogs with no apparent gender or breed predilection. The tumor was considered clinical in 21 dogs (34%), was responsible for abnormalities related to a space-occupying mass in 7 dogs (11%), and was an incidental finding in 35 dogs (57%). The hematologic and biochemical findings were nonspecific. Hypertension was detected in 10 of 23 (43%) dogs tested, but all hypertensive dogs had concurrent diseases that may have contributed to hypertension. Abdominal ultrasonography was the most commonly used imaging procedure, with a mass detected in the region of the adrenal glands in 20 of 40 (50%) dogs examined. In 4 of the 20 dogs (20%), invasion of the caudal vena cava was identified. Surgery was performed in 17 dogs (28%) with immediate death or euthanasia of 5 dogs. Survival after surgery ranged from 1 day to 3.25 years. Pheochromocytomas were locally invasive in 39% of affected dogs and produced metastases in 13% of the cases. Common sites for metastases included regional lymph nodes, liver, lung, kidney, spleen, and bone. A high frequency of concurrent neoplasia (54%), including endocrine neoplasia, was identified.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / pathology
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / veterinary*
  • Adrenal Glands / chemistry
  • Adrenal Glands / diagnostic imaging
  • Adrenal Glands / pathology
  • Animals
  • Chromogranins / analysis
  • Dog Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Dog Diseases / epidemiology
  • Dog Diseases / pathology*
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Pheochromocytoma / diagnosis
  • Pheochromocytoma / pathology
  • Pheochromocytoma / veterinary*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Synaptophysin / analysis
  • Ultrasonography / methods
  • Ultrasonography / veterinary

Substances

  • Chromogranins
  • Synaptophysin