The prostate (prostate) is a small gland located near the bladder neck in male dogs. The urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body) passes through the prostate shortly after leaving the bladder. The prostate produces the fluid in semen.

Prostate tumors develop from cells responsible for secreting semen. Prostate tumors are rare in dogs, and even rarer in cats. The most common prostate tumor is prostate adenocarcinoma.

Benign (non-cancerous) prostate nodules can also develop, similar to benign prostatic hyperplasia (non-cancerous tissue growth) in older dogs, although these nodules are rare in dogs.

The reasons why a particular pet might develop a condition like this, or any tumor or cancer, are not simple. Few tumors and cancers have a single known cause. Most seem to be caused by a series of complex risk factors, some of which are environmental, some are genetic or hereditary. In cases of prostate cancer, there are no clear risk factors or causes. Breeds that have an increased risk include Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, Scottish Terriers, Fox Terriers, Miniature Poodles, German Shorthaired Pointers, and Norwegian Elkhounds.

Benign prostate growth (prostatic hyperplasia) is common in unneutered older dogs. It is related to changes in male sex hormones (testosterone) over time.

What are the clinical symptoms?

Considering the location of the prostate,The most common clinical symptoms include blood in the urine, changes in urination habits, inability to urinate, and excessive drinking. The colon above the prostate can be compressed, leading to difficulty defecating. Pets may drag themselves due to urination or defecation, and their stools may become flat or rib-like.

Other symptoms may include lethargy, exercise intolerance, loss of appetite, weight loss, and pain (especially in the back or abdomen). If the pet has signs of back and pelvic bone metastasis, this pain can be severe.

Prostate cancer is a typically locally invasive tumor with a high metastatic potential (the ability to spread to other parts of the body). One of the major problems with prostate tumors is the potential for bone metastasis.

Up to 42% of prostate cancer dogs will metastasize to the bones, most commonly to the pelvis or vertebrae (bones in the area of the prostate).

A full staging (searching for potential spread to other parts of the body) is strongly recommended. This may include blood tests, urine tests, chest X-rays, and/or abdominal ultrasound. If any lymph nodes are enlarged or abnormal, sampling may be necessary to determine if there is spread.

Even though prostate cancer is associated with a high metastatic rate, local diseasecan also be a problem. As the tumor grows, it can completely obstruct or grow into the urethra, causing significant discomfort, and even preventing urination. In these cases, surgery or urethral stenting (allowing urine to pass through an opening) can be used as a palliative measure to reduce the impact of the disease and improve the pet's quality of life.

The goal of prostate cancer treatment is to reduce the size of the tumor and slow down the trend of metastasis.

Surgery may be considered a palliative measure, although removing the entire prostate or tumor is often not successful without damaging the urethra. For pets with severe urinary obstruction, a urethral stent can be placed to facilitate urination.

Less invasive treatment methods, such as radiation therapy, can be used. Targeted radiation therapy can be directed to the prostate area and affected lymph nodes or bones. Palliative radiation can provide short-term relief from urinary obstruction.

The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as piroxicam or carprofen, has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of prostate cancer.

The effects of chemotherapy are unclear. The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as piroxicam or carprofen, has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of prostate cancer. Bisphosphonates (drugs used to prevent osteoporosis in women) may also be helpful. These drugs are often recommended for metastasis to the pelvic bones or vertebrae.