Carcinoma of the apocrine glands of the anal sac in dogs: 113 cases (1985–1995)

• Published in: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Vol. 223; no. 6; pp. 825 - 831
• Main Authors: Williams, Laurel E, Gliatto, John M, Dodge, Richard K, Johnson, Jeffrey L, Gamblin, Rance M, Thamm, Douglas H, Lana, Susan E, Szymkowski, Mary, Moore, Antony S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 15.09.2003
• Subjects: Anal Gland Neoplasms - epidemiology; Anal Gland Neoplasms - surgery; Anal Gland Neoplasms - therapy; anal glands; Anal Sacs - pathology; Animals; Apocrine Glands - pathology; carcinoma; Carcinoma - epidemiology; Carcinoma - therapy; Carcinoma - veterinary; chemotherapy; Combined Modality Therapy - veterinary; Dog Diseases - epidemiology; Dog Diseases - surgery; Dog Diseases - therapy; Dogs; Female; hypercalcemia; Lung Neoplasms - mortality; Lung Neoplasms - secondary; Lung Neoplasms - veterinary; Male; metastasis; prognosis; radiotherapy; Retrospective Studies; Sex Distribution; surgery; Survival Analysis; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0003-1488; 1943-569X
• DOI: 10.2460/javma.2003.223.825

Objective—To characterize the signalment, clinical signs, biological behavior, and response to treatment of carcinoma of the apocrine glands of the anal sac in dogs. Design—Retrospective study. Animals—113 dogs with histologically confirmed carcinoma of the apocrine glands of the anal sac. Procedure—Data on signalment, clinical signs, and staging were reviewed and analyzed along with treatment modality for potential association with survival time. Results—Sex distribution was approximately equal (54% female, 46% male). One hundred four dogs underwent treatment consisting of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or multimodal treatment. Median survival for treated dogs was 544 days (range, 0 to 1,873 days). Dogs treated with chemotherapy alone had significantly shorter survival (median, 212 days) than those receiving other treatments (median, 584 days). Dogs not treated with surgery had significantly shorter survival (median, 402 days) than those that underwent surgery as part of their treatment (median, 548 days). Dogs with tumors ≥ 10 cm2 had significantly shorter survival (median, 292 days) than dogs with tumors ≥ 10 cm2 (median, 584 days). Hypercalcemia was identified in 27% (n = 29) of dogs, and those dogs had significantly shorter survival (median, 256 days), compared with those that were normocalcemic (median, 584 days). Dogs with pulmonary metastasis had significantly shorter survival (median, 219 days) than dogs without evidence of pulmonary metastasis (median, 548 days). Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Unlike most previous reports, this study revealed an approximately equal sex distribution, and results suggest a more favorable prognosis.