UTERINE ADENOCARCINOMA IN THE DOG - A CASE-REPORT AND REVIEW

A 10-year-old, female schnauzer was presented with a one-month history of lethargy, anorexia, leukocytosis, hypoglycemia, and hyperproteinemia. A tentative diagnosis of closed-cervix pyometra was established from physical examination findings and results of a hemogram, serum chemistry profile, and survey abdominal and thoracic radiographs. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a fluid-distended uterus and a 2 by 6-cm hepatic mass. An ovariohysterectomy and incisional biopsies of the liver were performed. Histologic examination of uterine and hepatic tissues revealed cystic, suppurative, plasmacytic, fibrosing endometritis and uterine adenocarcinoma with distant metastases to the liver. Uterine adenocarcinoma is a rare neoplasm in the bitch. The etiopathogenesis of uterine adenocarcinoma in the bitch is undefined, as of yet. Recommended treatment for uterine neoplasia is ovariohysterectomy, with attempts made to remove all tumor and local or regional metastatic foci. The efficacy of chemotherapy or radiation therapy has not been evaluated critically in dogs with uterine adenocarcinoma. The prognosis for uterine neoplasia depends on the type and differentiation of the neoplasm, the presence of myometrial infiltration, regional or distant metastases, and concurrent nonneoplastic disease.